CA 27-29 numbers rising: Does anyone else have an issue like this?

Peggie,
Thank you so much for sharing. I was in a group through Cancer Care, but was only allowed to be in the caregiver group, and most of the people were the wives of men that had other types of cancer, I prefer to talk with people that share our journey and understand MBC, and the lab tests, scans and results. I have been reading posts to my wife, hoping to encourage her to join. She has a great support system of family and friends, but no one can really know what she is going through. As you are entering year four post diagnosis, I hope your quality of life is good. Jen's days are like a roller coaster, but thankfully the past few days have been good. We feel blessed that she has good days. I hope you don't mind me reaching out, thank you.
Sam

Good morning again, Sam. I'm not sure how Mayo works and maybe Colleen who oversees this can chime in. I'm in another group on another site where we can 'friend' people so we can discuss topics or our situations one on one rather than take up room on other's conversations; share e-mails and such. I don't want to go against this site's rules. So maybe Colleen can let us know if there is a way to do this. I like being of help if I can or just a sounding-board or good ear for listening. None of us know from month to month and sometimes day to day how things will change. I am up and about, although haltingly hoping my femur mets in my left leg are helped by radiation that will wrap-up Wednesday. Then I can deal with a blocked femoral artery in my right. I laugh at this only because "if it's not one thing it's another". Please reach out anytime.
I hope you and Jen can have a relaxing holiday with family and friends.
Peggie

I am stage 4 ILC, doing well after a year of treatment on ribociclib, fervescent, and zomata, with numbers falling generally and clear scans. My CA 27-29 has been in the 32 range for 2 months, but this month jumped to 40. I have had knee replacement surgery and a stomach bug in the meantime and on various meds. Is this number ever effected by other situations/conditions? I know the CEA can be affected by inflamation. And it has stayed level at 10.

Yes! My oncologist indicated numbers can go up for a multitude of reasons including inflammation, diet, alcohol, strenuous exercise, even being out in the night air for me. ♥️

@tessspike. Good for you for being on top of your numbers. I am a big advocate on this site for tracking all your numbers on a chart for two reasons: 1) it helps a patient to know what is going on with their body & 2) to see trends. In your case, absolutely the knee replacement surgery can impact numbers. It might be helpful to track all your numbers a bit further back to day one. Maybe talk to your doctors to get a sense of when you can expect the surgery impact to lessen or request /look at your other numbers to see if the inflammation/surgery is reflected elsewhere. Docs like to see trends and like you pointed out, backup with scans, how you are feeling, etc. Fingers crossed for you. I am going on my 4th year as a MBC patient and have rebounded really well from when my initial meds stopped working 18 mos in. 2nd meds didn’t work but this third round seems to be doing the trick!

Thank you so much! That is such encouraging information. I do track my numbers, and my oncology team has an excellent portal where I can do that. I do some strenuous PT every day for the knee so I'm hoping that might be it. I'm so thankful for you that that third round of meds is working for you!

My CA27-29 has been a bit up and down but trending up . It
Was 41.5 6/21 a month after double mastectomy
was 36.3 12/21/21
It is now 53.5 01/19/23
Just got that result haven’t spoken to oncologist yet to see if he has ideas. Haven’t had the CA15-3 yet, imagine that may be next. Trying not to jump to conclusions.

Hope you continue to do well. Have you tried other non conventional ways yet like diet? There are books talk about how other patients miraculously have radical remission after changing diet. God bless you and many hugs to you!

@tessspike Hi and thanks for the hugs. Diet is absolutely something that can be worked on and glad you brought it up. And exercise! But diet…I advocate a common sense approach which my docs - primary and cancer agreed on. I cut way back on sugar - medical opinion is mixed but hey those tests that require a glucose solution to help identify cancer cells is all one needs for affirmation that lots of sugar can’t be good for someone. I try to go more organic/ natural because growth hormones or lots of antibiotics possibly could contribute to cell growth or reduced resistance. I drink lots more water, seltzer and am mindful of my alcohol. And I take a variety of vitamins. I have lost weight slowly and carefully which has contributed to lower blood pressure . I am not fixated and can enjoy a steak or ice cream - this is a marathon, not a sprint for me. And I am probably the only person who did not lose weight on Verzenio or during 20 rounds of chemo - thanks to friends who made me gallons of soup. Hand in hand was exercise. I started walking the day after my double mastectomy and kept it up at my chemo treatments in the hallways and outside in the parking lot. Yoga and Pilates were two new exercises I started to help gain back flexibility and strength in my arms and to lessen bone and joint pain. And I swam - which I hate - but my surgeon said it would be good for my arms and lessen my lymphatic fluid build up. My husband is doing yoga and Pilates with me and surprise - his persistent back is gone. I have to learn to live with my cancer and my docs are realistic that it will probably come back at some point. All I can do is be at my best - bloodwork, physically, spiritually and mentally. I hope to positively impact what I can control/influence and then let the docs or the rest of my team do their part. Good luck to you as well!

Have you had a virus recently? My son had blood work done and it showed platelet clumping. It was repeated for the reason you stated and came back the same. He was sent by his pcp to a hematologist and he was then diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia. It’s a weird blood disorder which is thought to sometimes be caused by a virus. I’d ask about that when you see your oncologist. Best wishes and prayers