carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures a specific blood glycoprotein called CEA. It means a protein with a lot of sugars added to it by normal or cancerous cells. Scientists first discovered CEA in 1968 when they isolated extracts of liver metastasized by colorectal cancer and also from normal fetal digestive tract. Everyone is born with high levels of this protein. CEA decreases as you get older, but some conditions, including certain types of cancer, can increase your blood CEA levels.

Generally speaking higher CEA values are not found in non-cancer situations however there are certain conditions in which high CEA values are found. This antigen is found in fetal development and is part of growing cells as it is found in cell adhesion and cell walls. So as healing occurs following surgery such as mastectomy it is reasonable to expect that with increased cell development and cell adhesion, You may have higher CEA values. Of course CEA value is alone do not indicate cancer. Suggest you discuss this with your doctor or oncologist