CEA rise: How scared should I be?

fig15, CEA does rise with age, and with inflammatory conditions, NAFLD, smoking. Some medications that you probably aren't taking can cause a rise, as well as aspirin which you might be taking.
It is too soon to be scared, but not to soon to repeat the CEA and schedule with the oncologist.
The charts on CEA vary. Some say that healthy older adults should be less than 5ng/mL Others use 3.4ng/mL
I'dask the primary care to repeat the CEA.
A minor infection that you might not even notice like a UTI could cause the rise.
You can order the test yourself at https://www.jasonhealth.com/test/978-cea
$30 plus $ 18 for the draw.
I suspect (and hope) that you aren't having recurrence. But it is great that you are watching the numbers and following up.

Thank you so much

@fig15, you said you had a colectomy about 12 years ago. Was this surgery to remove cancer or was it done because of another gastrointestinal condition? Did you talk to your doctor about the rise in CEA? Will you have further testing?

It was done to remove the Cancer..My Dr. has referred me back to the Oncologist who wants to do CT scan and more blood work. I will do that but I doubt at almost 81 I will do much more. I also have periodontal disease that may have effected the Cea.