Blood test could aid early cancer diagnosis, Lithuanian doctors say

Detecting cancer early dramatically improves the chances of successful treatment, according to health professionals. Eglė Marciuškienė, a laboratory medicine doctor at the Antėja healthcare network, notes that over 200 distinct cancer types exist, each presenting with varied symptoms. Some individuals may not experience any symptoms at all, making vigilance crucial. She advises seeking medical attention for any persistent, unusual bodily changes.

Common early signs across many cancer types include fatigue, unexplained weight fluctuations, and pain lasting over four weeks. Marciuškienė also highlights the importance of monitoring skin changes such as yellowing, darkening, redness, non-healing sores, or evolving moles, as these can be critical signals. Changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough, difficulty breathing, swallowing issues, or a hoarse voice can also be early indicators. Discomfort after eating, chronic muscle or joint pain, prolonged fever, or night sweats are further potential warning signs.

While up to 80 percent of malignancies are sporadic, a genetic predisposition contributes to some cases. Doc. Dr. Jūratė Gruodė, a geneticist at Antėja, explains that genetic counseling, genealogical analysis, and specific tests can assess inherited risks for oncological diseases. This allows for the creation of personalized screening plans and ongoing monitoring. She points to BRCA1 and BRCA2 as well-known genes linked to elevated cancer risk, significantly increasing the likelihood of breast and ovarian cancers in women, and breast and prostate cancers in men. If an individual carries a high-risk gene variant, there is a 50 percent chance of passing it to their children.

Gruodė emphasizes that a geneticist's role involves performing tests and evaluating a patient's predisposition, always in conjunction with other clinical and instrumental findings, and a thorough family medical history. Based on this comprehensive assessment, a plan for preventive check-ups and further actions is developed to either prevent the disease or ensure its earliest possible diagnosis. Lithuania currently offers four cancer prevention programs: cervical, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer screenings, all aimed at early detection.