Home Pregnancy Tests Could Signal Cancer in Men and Menopausal Women
According to a medical doctor, a simple, inexpensive, and widely available chemist item might have been overlooked for its potential as a DIY home test for cancer detection. Dr Christabel Akinola recently shared an Instagram post explaining how the humble home pregnancy test can reveal more than just whether someone is expecting a baby.
An Accessible but Underutilised Option
Dr Akinola stated, 'There's a very cheap test, probably lying in your house now, that could reveal if you have cancer. It costs almost nothing. It can point to eight or more different cancers, and most don't know how to use it.' She emphasised that early detection has always been the key message from the medical community for effective cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management. However, many people wait until they schedule a medical appointment for cancer detection tests, unaware of this accessible home test option.
How the Test Works
A home pregnancy test analyses urine to check for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. But hCG can also be produced by certain tumours, particularly cancerous ones. Dr Akinola elaborated, 'Having a positive pregnancy test as a man, or a menopausal woman, can be a sign of colon, liver, lung, testicular, pancreatic, and stomach cancers.' She noted that these are cancers where early detection is crucial, yet many people only become aware once it's too late, when more sinister symptoms appear.
Immediate Action Recommended
Dr Akinola advised, 'If you are not on fertility medications and get a positive pregnancy test as a man, or are menopausal or have had a hysterectomy as a woman, please visit the hospital immediately for further investigations to make sure you are fine.' She acknowledged that it might sound strange for a man or menopausal woman to buy and use a home pregnancy test kit, but it could save a life. 'Once in a while, try doing a pregnancy test at home. It's cheap, simple, and can save your life,' she said.
Medical Confirmation and Limitations
The Australian government's trusted health information website, HealthDirect, confirms that the hCG test is primarily known as a pregnancy test but can also be used for cancer detection. Its listing explains that the primary use, whether analysed by a pathologist or a self-test at home, is to confirm and monitor a pregnancy, as the hCG hormone is usually present only during pregnancy. However, it states, 'The hCG test is most commonly used to detect and monitor pregnancy, but it can also be used to detect and monitor some types of cancer.'
It's worth noting that this listing only mentions doctor-referred pathology blood hCG tests being used for cancer detection purposes, not urine tests or home pregnancy test kits. The advice continued, 'Blood hCG tests are also used to detect tumours that can produce hCG, such as testicular and ovarian cancer. The tests can monitor these tumours, helping your doctor check if treatment is working or if the tumour has returned after treatment.'
Dr Akinola concluded by stressing that a positive result in this scenario should prompt immediate medical follow-up. 'Having a positive result can have a range of causes, but it is best to see a doctor immediately. A positive pregnancy test for a man or menopausal woman can be a red flag for cancer.'
