Possible link between platelets and cancer risk, though further work needed

A possible link between cancer and the levels of a component of blood, called platelets, should be investigated further, according to a new study. The study found that patients who had a high blood platelet count, known as thrombocytosis, had a higher risk of cancer. However experts cautioned that the study didn’t look at using platelet count for diagnosis or screening, and pointed out there are many other reasons for a high platelet count. The research, from the University of Exeter Medical School, looked at the records of 50,000 patients aged 40 and over who received a blood test for a range of reasons, but where cancer was not suspected. The researchers found that patients with thrombocytosis were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer within a year than patients with a normal blood platelet count.

See original article at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/cancer-news/news-report/2017-05-25-possible-link-between-platelets-and-cancer-risk-though-further-work-needed