When you're dealing with cancer, monitoring your health is crucial. One of the most effective ways to keep track of how well your body is responding to treatment and to identify any changes in your condition is through blood tests. These tests provide valuable information about your overall health and can help guide your treatment plan.

1 Complete Blood Count (CBC): 

What It Measures?

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures various components of your blood, including:

• Red Blood Cells (RBCs): These cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body and return carbon dioxide to be exhaled.
• White Blood Cells (WBCs): These cells are part of your immune system and help fight infections.
• Platelets: These cells help with blood clotting to prevent bleeding.
• Hemoglobin: This is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
• Hematocrit: This measures the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells.

Why It’s Important?

• Assessing Overall Health: A CBC can give your doctor a general picture of your health, including your immune system’s ability to fight infections.
• Monitoring Side Effects: Cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, can affect your blood cell counts. Regular CBC tests help monitor these effects and guide adjustments to your treatment.
• Detecting Anemia: Low levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin can lead to anemia, causing fatigue and weakness. This needs to be addressed to ensure you stay strong during treatment.

2 Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP):

What It Measures?

A Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) measures several substances in your blood that reflect how well your kidneys and other organs are functioning. It typically includes:

• Glucose: The sugar in your blood that provides energy to your cells.
• Calcium: A mineral crucial for bone health and normal muscle and nerve function.
• Sodium: An electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance and nerve function.
• Potassium: Another electrolyte important for heart and muscle function.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Helps balance the pH of your blood.
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine: Waste products that your kidneys filter out of your
• blood. High levels can indicate kidney problems.

Why It’s Important?

• Evaluating Kidney Function: Cancer and its treatments can affect kidney function. The BMP helps monitor kidney health and adjust medications if needed.

   

• Checking Electrolyte Levels: Maintaining the right balance of electrolytes is crucial for various bodily functions, including heart rhythm and muscle contractions.
• Detecting Metabolic Issues: Abnormal glucose levels can signal issues with blood sugar control, which is important for overall health during cancer treatment.

Liver functions test (LTF):

What it Measure?

• LFTs measure the level of enzymes and proteins in the blood that indicates how well your liver is functioning.
• The liver processes medications and filters toxins from blood. Cancer treatment can affect liver function, so it’s important to monitor liver health.
• Detecting any liver damage early can help adjust treatments to minimize side- effects.

Why It’s Important?

• Monitoring Liver Health: Some cancer treatments can affect liver function. Regular LFTs help track liver health and adjust treatments to prevent damage.
• Detecting Liver Issues Early: Elevated levels of certain enzymes can be an early sign of liver problems, allowing for prompt intervention.
• Assessing Treatment Impact: If your cancer involves the liver or if you’re receiving treatments that affect the liver, these tests help assess how well your liver is coping.

4 Tumor Markers:

What It Measures?

Tumor markers are substances often produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to cancer. They can be proteins, hormones, or other molecules found in blood or other fluids. Common tumor markers include:

• CA-125: Used to monitor ovarian cancer.
• PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen): Monitors prostate cancer.
• CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen): Can be elevated in various cancers, including colorectal and lung cancers.
• HER2: A protein involved in breast cancer.

Why It’s Important?

• Monitoring Cancer Progress: Tumor markers help track how well cancer treatments are working and can signal if the cancer is recurring or progressing.
• Guiding Treatment Decisions: High or low levels of tumor markers can help your doctor make informed decisions about continuing, changing, or stopping treatment.
• Early Detection of Recurrence: Changes in tumor marker levels can sometimes detect cancer recurrence before symptoms appear.

5 Coagulation Tests:

What It Measure?

Coagulation tests assess how well your blood clots. Important tests include:

• Prothrombin Time (PT): Measures the time it takes for blood to clot
• Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT): Assesses the efficiency of the blood clotting process.
• International Normalized Ratio (INR): A standardized way of expressing PT to monitor patients on blood-thinning medications.

Why It’s Important?

• Preventing Blood Clots: Cancer and its treatments can increase the risk of blood clots. Coagulation tests help manage this risk and adjust medications to prevent clots.
• Managing Treatment Side Effects: Some cancer treatments can affect blood clotting. Regular monitoring ensures your blood clotting levels are within a safe range.
• Assessing Bleeding Risks: Abnormal results can indicate issues with blood clotting, which is crucial for managing bleeding risks during treatment.

Regular blood tests are a fundamental part of managing cancer. They provide critical information about your overall health, the effectiveness of your treatment, and any side effects you might be experiencing. By understanding these five essential blood tests—CBC, BMP, LFTs, Tumor Markers, and Coagulation Tests—you can better navigate your cancer journey and work with your healthcare team to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Always remember to discuss your test results with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized insights and recommendations based on your specific condition and treatment plan. With the right information and support, you can stay informed and proactive about your health throughout your cancer treatment.

Dr. Shona Nag is renowned as one of the best oncologists in Pune and is highly regarded as a leading breast cancer specialist in the city. With extensive experience in the field of oncology, Dr. Nag provides comprehensive care for breast cancer patients, offering advanced diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive services. Her expertise in managing complex cases and her commitment to personalized treatment plans have earned her a reputation as a top cancer specialist in Pune. Dr. Nag is known for her compassionate approach and dedication to improving patient outcomes, making her a sought-after choice for those seeking expert care in breast cancer and other oncological conditions.