Can chronic myeloid leukemia be found early?

The American Cancer Society recommends screening tests for certain cancers in people who have no symptoms because these cancers are easier to treat if found early. But at this time, no screening tests are routinely recommended for early detection of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

CML can sometimes be found on routine blood tests done for other reasons. For instance, a person's white blood cell count may be very high, even though he or she doesn't have any symptoms.

It is important to report any symptoms that could be caused by CML to the doctor right away. The symptoms of CML are discussed in the next section, "How is chronic myeloid leukemia diagnosed?"