Screening tests aren't perfect. They may miss some cancers, show something that looks like a tumor when it's not one, or find cancers that will never cause a problem. Since there is no way to know which ones will cause harm, cancers are usually treated. This may lead to unnecessary cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Talk to your doctor about whether you should have this screening test. It is important to know the risks of having this test and whether studies show that having the test will reduce your risk of dying from this kind of cancer.
There is very little chance of a problem from
having a blood sample taken from a vein.
- You may get a small bruise at the site. You can
lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several
- In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood
sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used
several times a day to treat this.
- Ongoing bleeding can be a
problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and
other blood-thinning medicines can make bleeding more likely. If you have
bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell
your doctor before your blood sample is taken.