breast cancer and blood testing

I am hearing of way too many women being diagnosed with breast cancer.  Prayers are with each of you for this fight!!

My question, if you have breast cancer, will you have an abnormal blood test?  In other cancers, I understand the white cell count will normally rise or RBC's might be off.  Does this happen with breast cancer?

Thank you so much for you input.  God Bless!!

[lizziecee]

Whilst not a doctor or nurse, I was dx with invasive breast cancer 4 yrs ago. As far as I know there are no blood tests to show bc - I have had monthly blood tests for some 6 years, as I take a cytotoxic drug (methotrexate) for Crohn's, and nothing showed up on my bloodwork relating to bc. Whole body count is done each time, as well as liver and kidney function. In fact I had no palpable lump, and the tumour was only found on normal 3 yrly mamogram (mammogram). Some Oncologists do blood tests for "tumour markers",once that bc has been diagnosed but there is much scepticism in the medical profession about their validity. I think the only way to initially diagnose bc is through the three step method: mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. A biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose breast cancer. It is not painful (ell, mine wasn't) - they numb the area to be biopsied with a local anaesthetic, take out some cells or a small amount of tissue and cover it with a plaster afterwards. Duck soup, really. The biopsy needs to be analysed by a pathologist.
Hope this helps answer your question. You might like to post on the Ask The Doctor part of this site for proper medical advice.

[myowncrazybeat]

Thank you so much for sharing your story!!  

My maternal aunt just finished about 6 weeks of radiation therapy after 2 lumpectomies for "in situ" breast cancer.  She is doing well, but has altered WBC's.  Thought this might be from the rad., but didn't know if the count would change before diagnosis.  Guess I am so much more aware of this cancer now that it has struck so close to home.  

Prayers are with you during your recovery.  

[cyn17]

Great question! I actually took part in a study to see if there are any markers in the blood that can detect breast cancer. Today there isn't a blood test, but with continued researched, we may see a test developed in our lifetime.

[raleigh34]

Hello All I hope you are doing well.  My mother had breast cancer 5 years ago,  she is now in remission.  However her tumor markers were up at her visit today..between 60-62.  I asked her oncologist at a previous visit what they meant and he basically snubbed my question and told me that he really didn't have an answer.  I have been researching online and I cannot find anything associated with what the numbers mean?  can anyone provide some insight,  I am so worried about her and I know she is too.  Her doctor does not have the best bedside manner!  THANKS