Nonspecific abdominal symptoms, such as pain or bloating, are frequently observed in primary care settings, usually with benign causes, but may be indicative of undiagnosed cancer. Patients with these symptoms often undergo routine blood tests that could help identify those at higher risk for cancer, thereby helping to prioritize referrals and determine who can be safely monitored in the primary care setting. Currently, there is little evidence to support the value of abnormal blood tests for cancer risk assessment in patients with these symptoms. In this issue, Meena Rafiq and team evaluate the predictive value of 19 abnormal blood test results for cancer detection in patients presenting with new abdominal pain or bloating.
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Editorial
Breaking our daily “ultra-processed” bread
PLOS Medicine: published July 25, 2024 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004437
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