GPs Talk Cancer

Interpreting Blood Test Results – ”If they persist, we repeat things.”

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Episode notes

This shorter, bite-size episode sees GPs Rebecca and Sarah discuss the challenges of interpreting blood test results in primary care. Topics covered include the PSA and CA-125 tests and the incidence of false positives and false negatives; red flag symptoms such as new onset raised hba1c, iron deficiency anaemia and raised platelets on a full blood count; plus the role inflammatory markers and liver function tests can play. Plus, when and when not to be reassured when blood test results are normal. 


You can access the guidelines and studies referenced here


Accessibility: Access the full episode transcript here


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GPs Talk Cancer is the podcast series from GatewayC. GatewayC is the free early cancer diagnosis resource funded by the NHS and is part of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. 


Produced by Louise Harbord from GatewayC, and Jo Newsholme from Rethink Audio.


DISCLAIMER: We know this podcast might be of interest to anybody, however it is aimed at primary care health professionals. All patient cases are based on real stories from our clinical practice as GPs. They are fully anonymised with no identifiable patient data. All featured statistics are accurate at the time of recording. All views expressed by guest speakers are their own.



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