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← Return to Slightly elevated CEA
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Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Jul 20, 2021 | Replies (5)
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Hello @spedteacher,
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand your concern about the increase in the CEA number. I understand completely that when you have had cancer once it is hard to not think that it will reoccur. You tend to wait for the "other shoe to drop."
I would like to invite @gingerw to this discussion. She also has melanoma and perhaps she can offer some suggestions.
It sounds like you are feeling good otherwise, but your concern is about the increase in the CEA numbers. Is that right?
Replies to "Hello @spedteacher, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand your concern about the increase..."
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@spedteacher At the request of @hopeful33250 I am responding to you. I had melanoma on my right forearm, which resulted in a surgery leaving a 32 stitch scar.
From medline.com, here is an article about CEA and when it may be useful https://www.healthline.com/health/cea
It does mention about smoking being a factor to raise a CEA level. Does that fit in you case?
As far as questions to ask your dr, I might ask if the test should be done again. That would be a simple first step. The anxiety and concern you have should also be conveyed, especially if you have been a patient of this dr for a while.
Will you come back and let me know how your appt goes, and how you are doing?
Ginger