what is the best test to find out if you have a cancer? - i have lowback pain. need help i suspect already.?
97805
I agree with the other people who have answered.  Depending on your age there are many problems that could cause lower back pain and the health care system will rule out the most common ones.  Most likely you have one of the common causes of lower back pain.\n\nIf you are an older male (in your fifties, sixties, or older) prostate cancer can cause lower back pain if it has spread to the bones.  However, you would most like have other symptoms.  Also, as you age degenerative disk disease can cause lower back pain.\n\nDon't jump to the conclusion that you must have cancer.  However, don't ignore persistent pain that lingers for days and isn't helped with the usual over the counter pain medication.  \n\nTo more specifically answer your question about how a diagnosis of cancer is made ... there would be blood tests, biopsies, bone scans, MRIs, CT scan, ultrasound, etc.  It usually would require a number of tests.  But unless you have reason to believe you have prostate cancer or bone cancer (when you would most likely have generalised bone pain in a number of areas of your body),most likely your problem is related to a far less serious cause.
975144
it could be cancer. My father had it once...ti was a cancer. If you cannot see it, youve cought it FAST and EARLY
1036792
Breast cancer or any other cancer does not hurt,Thats why  so many people die (they have no idea their sick).It only starts to hurt when its to late,If it was to late,You would have many more symtoms... Check with your Dr.
561994
get to a doctor imediately, the longer u wait with cancer, the worse things get. Cancer is cured by early detection and treatment.
133344
I will pray for you.  You have my sympathy.  I have bone cancer, and it is terminal.  I focus on what I CAN do, each day.  Some days all I can do is lay in bed.  Other days, although rarely, I feel almost good. I believe we send messages to our bodies, subconsciously.  If we think the worst, the worst will happen.  I am a registered nurse, and even though I could easily look up every aspect of my disease, I choose not to.  Only God knows when our time is up.
939038
I agree with every one else, try not to stress to much, and think positive, they may have picked a slight abnormality, which needs to be rechecked.\n\nPap tests are the best way to pick up infections and precancerous cells and abnormal cells. \n\nWishing you all the best and good luck!
769725
sounds like a herniated disc\nhave the MRI done\nit is more reliable than a cat scan\nby continuing to work in this condition you risk doing more and possibly permanent damage to your back
1125067
Early detection is the answer. \n Speak with your doctor about when is a good time to start testing ?
1099698
That is going to depend on your age. If you are still young and not having any symptoms then probably won't order any tests. If you're older, then your doctor may want you to have your cholesterol checked, especially if you smoke. And if you're nearing 50 then there's a good chance you'll be checked for prostate and colon cancer.
887073
Hello. First of all let me say that I am so sorry to hear about your Grandfather.Right now the positive thing is that you used the phrase MAY have cancer.There could be many things that have similiar symptoms that cancer has.I am now in a EMT class and I was very shocked when I learned about different conditions mocking one another in their symptoms.Now...lets just say that the tests come back positive.There are wonderful treatments available today for cancer patients.Your Grandfather is also fairly young....60 is not that old!!His body should be strong enough to undergo treatment and help fight the cancer...IF he has cancer.Now...I will say this and it is a very direct statement. IF he has a condition that involves his liver....he will have a long road ahead of him. But that does not mean that he cant beat this.I will keep your Grandfather as well as you and your family in my thoughts.I hope my thoughts have helped ease a little of your concern.I am by no means an expert,but I read your concerns and felt that I should respond.
926920
You are absolutely correct when you say that some of these tests are inaccurate.My sister who was 47 was diagnosed with gall stones and it took weeks for her to get the surgery and it was then they discovered she had 3rd stage pancreatic cancer.Do yourself a favour and get that mri sooner rather than later to ensure a correct diagnosis. Hope it all goes well.
933177
go see the doc , don't worry he sees this stuff all the time , if it's cancer - the sooner the better the worst that can happen now is you be 1 stone lighter , if you  leave it there could be really intense chemo & all that fun stuff & it could even kill you \n\nGO TO THE DOC ASAP\ncheers:\npaul  :-}
1078131
Seelie what?? omg..Look girl, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last yr and YES pain was the 1st symptom other than feeling the lump. One br is lgr than the next too? Girl..pls go get checked. I am not sayin it's Brst Cr but still go..I waited and man I am in remission now but it was horrible..Look I hope you go see a doc and get a mammogram and a biopsy and an MRI soon after ok? Baby don't be scared.ok?? I survived Stage 3 invasive ductal cr and it was extrogen pos so it was bad..If it is not movable and it feels solid from ur standpoint and poking out on the side  then u need to get chk'd.Don't want to scare u ok just be cool and go..ok Good luck..Oh and seelie or whatever ur name is get ur info right?? aughhhhhhh!!
629175
Go to the Dr. immediately.  My Mom had one and it turn out to be cancer.  Please go today.
959564
From what I understand, a biopsy is the only way to 100% confirm if it is cancer or not. I have had blood work done that said my cancer returned, PET scans and CT scans that said the same, but my biopsy came back negative. In a month, they re-tested my PET and CT, and they were back to normal. Anyway, good luck with all of your testing. I hope things turn out ok.
996598
First of all, cool down. Secondly, you should go to your personal doctor. He is the one who has your medical files and he is the appropriate one to give the best advice. He may ask you to have some extra medical tests.
594902
I definitely think you should get it checked, if nothing else, to put your mind at rest. I, too, doubt it would be cancer, but I must strongly disagree that "you would know if you had skin cancer". That's simply not true, and it's the reason why so many people aren't diagnosed until it's too late.\n\nDo you exercise much, or has the weather changed lately? It could be a bit of prickly heat. I get it from time to time and your description sounds similar to what I experience. If it's prickly heat, in an adult it's usually nothing to worry about and will go away - though the thing that makes me doubt this diagnosis is that it doesn't bother you at all. Prickly heat is often quite irritating, but then, everyone's different.\n\nI really think you need to see your doctor on this one, just to be safe. Not everything that hurts is dangerous - but not everything that's painless is harmless.