CEA Blood Test

FormerMember over 4 years ago

3 replies
114 subscribers
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I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in October 2019 operated on in November 2019 Stage 3 N! so one lymph node. I then went onto chemo oxiplatin etc. I had a CT Scan in August 2020 all clear, Liver Scan recently and all clear. I am only worried because my CEA reading was 2.9 9 months ago and has now gone up to 4.2 should I be worried. it is now 18 months since my operation and I was hoping I would be able to relax and not keep worrying about reoccurrence. Has anyone else had that with their CEA test and been okay? Thankyou in dance.

Kareno62 over 4 years ago

Hi . The clear scans are great news but there’s always that little worry lurking at the back of your mind isn’t there? CEA is a good marker for some people but can be affected by other things. Have you had a infection lately or had your COVID jab for example? There used to be a really good leaflet on it on the bowel cancer uk board which is no longer there but I’ve found an old post with it on. It seems to say that an increase of 1 is nothing to worry about and it is larger increases that may require further investigation. I’ve attached a link to the article below and maybe you could get it rechecked in a couple of months time for reassurance?

https://community.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/forum/13425-raised-cea

Dont forget that you can also ring the nurses on here for a chat on 0808 808 00 00 too

Hope this helps and take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

court over 4 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi
Sound advice from Karen !

Some people are reporting a slight increase in their CEA and wondering if the covid vaccination is a contributor !
1.3 on its own is a very small variable my mum’s bounces around a point or so and has done so for over ten years .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Marianne26 over 4 years ago

When I was first diagnosed with Bowel cancer in Apr '19, my CEA level was 10. I had a resection in May. In March '20 I had mets. in one lung....then had Chemo for 6 mths. before a Lung Ablation in Oct '20. Following a full body CT scan in March this year....which gave me the all clear.....My Blood tests still show 8. However, I am a smoker (which increases this marker.) My Oncologist is not worried....but I will be having 6mthly blood tests. She tells me that she would only be concerned if these levels rose to 15.

Best

Marianne