What are blood tests? Blood tests are used to measure or examine cells, chemicals, proteins, medication levels / other substances in the blood. They are used to: • check on your general health and how well the different organ-related systems in the body are working - for example, liver, kidney and/or thyroid tests. • check blood cells / help diagnose anaemia, bleeding or clotting disorders. • check your immune system, for example, response to infection / certain anti-cancer treatments. • help diagnose and monitor certain diseases and conditions - including cancers. • monitor a chronic disease or condition, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. • find out if treatment for a disease is working. • assess nutritional status - checking for the possible presence of vitamin, mineral / trace-element deficiencies. While most blood tests may not require written consent, some blood tests may require considerate discussion / counselling before they are undertaken - such as tests for genetic conditions. Neuroendocrine cancers are rarely inherited. However, as previously mentioned, there are a number of known inherited genetic conditions that are associated with an increased risk of developing certain neuroendocrine cancers.
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