Had colon cancer and now CEA is rising: Scared

I had colon surgery and chemo after, body scans in Feb 2023 showed no signs of cancer but CEA levels were 10.6 and 12.6 in March

For me, CEA wasn’t a beneficial indicator. It was 1.8 when I had a malignant tumor and has remained in that range with the exception of one elevation to a 3. What is your doctor saying? What was your CEA at diagnosis? Did you do chemo?

You mentioned returning to vaping. Prior to the elevated CEA, were you vaping? I’m assuming it’s nicotine. Is your doctor aware? Nicotine and/or smoking can effect CEA, often leading to elevated levels. Have you considered stopping vaping for an extended time period and seeing if levels change?
Was CEA an accurate indicator prior to diagnosis? Mine was 1.8, but colonoscopy showed a suspected malignancy, and CT showed supported that finding. My CEA decreased after surgery (I think lowest was .57) but has since remained over 1.4 and even gotten up to 3. While I was worried about the 3, my oncologist wasn’t and said it could be effected by multiple factors. Next time we tested I was back down to 1.8

Stress alone can make things be off. Try to meditate and breathe even just 5-20min a day. It’s hard. I’m learning but so worth it. Stand barefoot in the grass/dirt. Juice lots of carrots and celery and garlic. Learn about all the anticancer foods that also help with energy, stress and so many other things. You’ve got this! Fear is a liar. God bless!

I’m sure you’re nervous. We’re here if you need support. I’ll be interested to hear what you learn from the scans. Focus on the now. 🙂

Yes having scans done again next week, thank you for the advice.

Hi @mary4elpo, I can imagine that gettting mixed result of a clear colonoscopy with rising CEA levels is concerning. I moved your question to this existing discussion:
- Had colon cancer and now CEA is rising: Scared https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/colon-cancer-10-year-and-now-raised-cea/

I recommend clicking the link and reading the posts from the beginning. You'll also be able to connect with other members like @segerfan @lisag03 @amariewilkinson @ruchibsq and others.

CEA levels alone are not enough to detect cancer. Has your oncologist scheduled additional testing?

Had colon surgery a year ago, current body scans and colonoscopy showed no sign of cancer but my CEA level is 12 .6 ,anyone ever experience this?

After CT scan was clean Dr has no more concerns. I go back to once a year visits.

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?