A Complete Blood Count (CBC) test is a fundamental medical screening tool for evaluating overall health and detecting a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection, and even cancer. This article will guide you through what a CBC entails, the specific tests included, and their utility in suspecting cancer.
A CBC test, or Complete Blood Count, may also be termed CBC Blood Test, Full Blood Count and Cell Blood Count, is a blood panel doctors order to evaluate a patient's general health status. It measures several components of blood, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. Each component can tell much about your health and help diagnose various conditions. The test is often one of the first tests doctors use to look for signs of disorders such as anemia, infection, and many other diseases.
The CBC includes several specific tests that measure the different components of blood. The core constituents are:
While the CBC test is not used to diagnose cancer directly, it may give clues to suspect cancer or other conditions that might require further investigation. For instance:
The CBC test is a crucial diagnostic tool in medicine. It provides valuable information about the general health status of a person and helps in diagnosing a variety of conditions, including infections, anemia, and different types of cancer. Understanding what the CBC entails and what the results mean can help you better understand your health and prepare for informed discussions with your healthcare provider. If your CBC test results are abnormal, it's essential to follow up with your doctor for further investigations to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.