80 mm bowel "C" removed in 2023. met'd to lung and removed in 2024. Latest blood test, my number from 1 to 10 is up to 6.2. I believe the critical number is 5 anything above and you get the evil eye.
They are bringing me back to 3 monthly check ups and having another scan next Wednesday.
I can't remember what the numbers relate to. I've an Idea it's something to do with the risk of a return of the "C". Just out of curiosity can some one explain the numbers to me.
Many thanks, Raymond
Hi Jagman Raymond
I think you might be referring to a test called CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) test which measures a certain type of protein in the blood, since you’ve said you’ve had bowel cancer in the past, though I can’t be certain.
I’d suggest that you might like to join the bowel cancer group, which would be the best place to ask your question, and the link to do that is here
I know this test has been discussed in the bowel group before, so I’m sure a member there will be able to help with some more knowledge than I have.
Sarah xx
Hello Raymond (Jagman )
I think you may be talking about the "Red Blood Cell Count" which can identify many issues and it's not necessarily cancer that it finds. Details are here:
Is this what your results are showing? and does this answer your question?
Best wishes - Brian.
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Morning Brian
Must have been replying at exactly the same time! The CEA blood test I mentioned in my reply is a specific one used in bowel cancer follow ups, hence thinking it might be this, but of course that’s just a guess on my part.
A number of 6.2 in this particular test wouldn’t necessarily mean a recurrence of cancer but would mean further testing just to check things out.
Sarah xx
Good Morning Sarah (SarahH21 )
Thank you for your explanation - that's something else for me to remember.
As a "numbers man" I looked at the 1-10 and 6.2 so the Red Blood Count uses a factor of 10 and for a male anything above 5.9 is abnormal!
Every day is a "School Day" so thanks again - Have a great day.
Kind regards - Brian xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
Thanks Brian-my first thought was the cea test rather than full blood count testing which I hadn’t considered, because of the mention of bowel cancer specifically but you’re right about the numbers for the red cell count.
I’m sure the consultant will explain, which will give the poster the answer he needs.
Sarah xx
