Had colon cancer and now CEA is rising: Scared

Welcome, @segerfan, I can imagine you're scared. Any test coming back abnormal sets off alarm bells. And you've been under such stress lately. So sorry for the loss of your dear grandchild.

Other members like @denise777 @sallyg @revcindy and others here know exactly what it's like to see rising CEA levels before they get the full picture. It's really hard not to worry.

I want you to know that CEA testing is notorious for false positives, meaning that the test results may show high levels when they are actually not.

Here's more info:
– High False-Positive Rate of Elevated CEA Seen in Patients With Resected Colorectal Cancer https://www.ascopost.com/issues/august-15-2014/high-false-positive-rate-of-elevated-cea-seen-in-patients-with-resected-colorectal-cancer/

I know it's really hard not to be anxious, but as they say "don't put the cart before the horse." The CEA levels are a simple test that may indicate the need for further testing to investigate IF there is a change.

Has further testing been ordered or a second CEA test? When will you be able to have an appointment to talk with your oncologist about next steps?

They are scheduling a CT scan in the next couple days. So hopefully that will give some answers. Doctor knows just how much stress I am under. But getting this info today just added more to my stress level.

Vaping is not good. It can cause MORE problems. Stay strong, there are remedies fir your condition. Stay close to your Doctor.

CT scan today. Now for the waiting game for the results.

I M not sure what you’re vaping but smoking can cause elevated CEA so it may be nothing. Were CEA levels a good indicator for you?

Hang in there and remember stress is harmful! I’m trying myself to practice more stress-relieving techniques. Prayer/meditation/breathing exercises as well as long walks and maybe yoga. Anything to get that nervous energy better under control. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique. It works wonders sometimes for me.

Received the CT scan results today. All is well no cancer anywhere. Thank u all for your prayers. Cancer sucks

Amazing segarfan. I’m so happy for you.

Hi,
I was diagnosed with Colon cancer stage last year 12/23. My surgery was done on 01/11/22 since then I have been following with Blood test every three months. My CEA level after surgery was 0.9 03/01/22. Second CEA 1.2 06/01/22 Was done by Labcorp. Third CEA 1.0 09/01/2022 was done by Emory and the recent one was done at Labcorp 12/19 CEA ‘1.9’. Does this level vary by labs? I am currently having an external Hemorrhoid pain and irritation and little bit of bleeding. Does anyone know if Hemorrhoid can be one of the reason for CEA to increase? Or what are the chances of cancer coming back? Sorry I am just scared.

Welcome @ruchibsq. Seeing CEA levels fluctuate can be unsettling. I moved your message to this existing discussion:
- Had colon cancer and now CEA is rising: Scared to death
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/colon-cancer-10-year-and-now-raised-cea/
You read the previous posts and see that @segerfan had a similar worry and luckily found that cancer had not returned.

CEA or carcinoembryonic antigen (as well as other markers like CA27-29) plays a role in diagnosis, monitoring response to therapy, early detection of metastasis and determination of recurrence in patients with colon cancer. But CEA alone doesn't tell the full story. As a member said in another discussion "Tumor marker tests are one tool doctors have to monitor but they can have great change and variables." "People's numbers bounce around and no two people seem to have the same starting point or "normal.""

You're also right that results can vary from lab to lab. Further monitoring will tell if this reading is an anomoly or needs further testing. Was your oncologist concerned about the changes in CEA?