Certain types of cancer
What is Certain types of cancer?
Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells grow out of control and can spread to other parts of the body. Different types of cancer affect different organs and tissues. Some cancers can change the levels of certain substances in your blood before you have any symptoms.
Blood tests cannot diagnose cancer on their own, but they can detect unusual patterns that may signal a problem. High calcium levels may appear with breast cancer and lung cancer. Elevated creatinine can occur with kidney or prostate cancers. High ferritin levels may indicate leukemia or Hodgkin's lymphoma. These changes happen because cancer cells use resources differently than healthy cells.
Catching these warning signs early gives you and your doctor more options for treatment. Regular blood testing helps you monitor your health and spot changes before they become serious. This is why preventive screening matters, especially if you have risk factors for cancer.
Symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more
- Extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest
- Fever that comes and goes without clear cause
- Pain that persists and worsens over time
- Skin changes including darkening, yellowing, or new moles
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Unusual bleeding or discharge from any body opening
- Lumps or thickening under the skin
- Persistent cough or hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing or ongoing indigestion
Many people with early stage cancer have no symptoms at all. This is why regular blood testing and screening are so important. Your body may show chemical changes in your blood before you feel sick.
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Causes and risk factors
Cancer develops when genetic changes cause cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. These changes can be inherited from your parents or develop during your lifetime. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer, responsible for about 30 percent of all cancer deaths. Other major risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. Environmental exposures to radiation, certain chemicals, and viruses like HPV and hepatitis also increase cancer risk.
Age is another significant factor, as most cancers become more common as you get older. Family history matters because some cancer types run in families due to inherited genetic mutations. Chronic inflammation from conditions like ulcerative colitis can damage DNA over time and lead to cancer. Sun exposure without protection raises skin cancer risk. Understanding your personal risk factors helps you make choices that protect your health.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors use several methods to diagnose cancer, starting with a physical exam and medical history. Blood tests can reveal abnormal levels of certain markers that suggest cancer may be present. Rite Aid's preventive health testing measures calcium, creatinine, and ferritin, which can show early warning signs of specific cancer types. High calcium may indicate breast or lung cancer, elevated creatinine can signal kidney or prostate cancer, and high ferritin may point to leukemia or Hodgkin's lymphoma.
If blood tests show concerning patterns, your doctor will order additional testing. This may include imaging scans like CT, MRI, or PET scans to look for tumors. A biopsy, where a small tissue sample is removed and examined under a microscope, is the only way to confirm a cancer diagnosis. Early detection through regular testing at Quest Diagnostics locations gives you the best chance for successful treatment.
Treatment options
- Surgery to remove tumors and affected tissue
- Chemotherapy using drugs that kill fast growing cancer cells
- Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells with high energy beams
- Immunotherapy to help your immune system fight cancer cells
- Targeted therapy drugs that attack specific cancer cell features
- Hormone therapy for cancers that grow in response to hormones
- Eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
- Maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical activity
- Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption
- Managing stress and getting adequate sleep to support healing
Concerned about Certain types of cancer? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Blood tests cannot diagnose cancer on their own, but they can reveal warning signs. Abnormal levels of calcium, creatinine, or ferritin may indicate certain cancer types. These markers help your doctor decide if you need additional testing like imaging or biopsies. Regular blood testing helps catch changes early when treatment is most effective.
Breast cancer and lung cancer are the most common cancers that raise blood calcium levels. Cancer cells can release substances that cause bones to release calcium into the bloodstream. This condition is called hypercalcemia and occurs in about 10 to 20 percent of people with cancer. High calcium can cause fatigue, confusion, and digestive problems if left untreated.
Cancer cells need large amounts of iron to grow and spread rapidly. Your body stores iron in a protein called ferritin, and cancer can cause ferritin levels to rise. High ferritin is particularly associated with leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Elevated ferritin can also occur with other cancers and inflammatory conditions, so your doctor will order additional tests.
Most healthy adults should get blood work done at least once or twice a year. Rite Aid's preventive health service includes two tests per year with over 200 biomarkers measured. If you have risk factors like family history, smoking, or previous cancer, your doctor may recommend more frequent testing. Regular monitoring helps catch changes before symptoms appear.
High creatinine levels can indicate kidney or prostate cancer, although many other conditions also raise creatinine. Creatinine is a waste product that your kidneys normally filter from your blood. Cancer affecting the kidneys or blocking urine flow can cause creatinine to build up. Your doctor will look at other markers and symptoms to determine the cause.
Often, blood test changes appear before you have any symptoms. This is the value of preventive screening and why regular testing matters. By the time you feel sick, cancer may have progressed further. Early detection through blood work gives you more treatment options and better outcomes.
Stop using tobacco products, as smoking causes about 30 percent of all cancer deaths. Maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise and a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. Protect your skin from sun exposure and get recommended cancer screenings for your age and risk level.
Diet and exercise significantly reduce your cancer risk but cannot prevent all cancers. Physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces inflammation in your body. Eating plenty of plant foods provides antioxidants and fiber that protect your cells. However, some cancers develop due to genetic factors beyond your control, which is why screening remains important.
Abnormal results do not mean you have cancer, but they do require follow up. Your doctor will review your complete medical history and order additional tests. This may include repeat blood work, imaging studies, or referral to a specialist. Many conditions besides cancer can cause elevated calcium, creatinine, or ferritin levels.
Blood tests are screening tools, not diagnostic tests for cancer. They can reveal patterns that suggest further investigation is needed. Sensitivity and specificity vary by marker and cancer type. Combining multiple biomarkers with other screening methods improves accuracy. Only a biopsy can confirm a cancer diagnosis with certainty.