CEA Blood Test

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somerset72
somerset72 Member Posts: 30
edited March 2015 in Stage I Breast Cancer

I am over 7 yrs. out from my lumpectomy. I recently had to switch oncologists due to insurance. The old onc did not believe in ordering blood tests. He said they weren't accurate and raised unnecessary concerns. New onc ordered blood tests (CEA) and it came back elevated by .1 only. He now wants me to have a colonoscopy to rule out colon cancer. I had one 4 yrs ago and it was negative. I am leaning towards not getting it but now the worry is in my head. Any opinions/ideas on this matter?? I also have rheumatoid arth. which can cause this test to be elevated. The once. even said that's what it could be.


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  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 3,044
    edited March 2015

    How did you go ?? I've just been to my BS.. He gave me the paper work to book in for tests for my blood work.. I'm so upset he has included the CA15.3 test in it.. Everything Is read says not to do it.


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  • lovetodance1
    lovetodance1 Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2015

    What was the cea reading? and was is the normal range on your lab.?.cea is very unreliable. My lab is 0-5 range for everyone. Labs have different ranges. .1 is nothing. Ca15.3 is better for breast.

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  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited March 2015

    In Canada, if you are over fifty, it is recommended that you have a FOBT every two years to screen for colon cancer. Is this an option for you to try first to see if a colonoscopy is necessary?

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  • AlaskaAngel
    AlaskaAngel Member Posts: 1,836
    edited March 2015

    The post was done in January and unfortunately never received a reply until now. For those who don't like to feel like each lab is scary until the results are available, they can just ask not to be told the results and that way the doc still can keep an eye on them.

    I prefer having the CA 15-3 done, because even though it isn't accurate for some of us, it just gives me one more piece of information to base my decisions on about my risk level and whether or not to go ahead with further testing if I am on the fence about the risks of further exposure to radiation, for example.

    I agree with the OP's thoughts about the colonoscopy.

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  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 3,044
    edited March 2015

    AlaskaAngel...I see now there are a few on the boards having the CA15.3 test.. Interesting how some doctors want it done and others don't.

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  • AlaskaAngel
    AlaskaAngel Member Posts: 1,836
    edited March 2015

    Hi Lucy55,

    I'm wondering if maybe it doesn't work well for those who simply have other sources of inflammation that also may cause high readings... like maybe a smoker, or a secondhand smoker, or those who consume mostly the foods that are highly inflammatory, or those who have the increased inflammation of obesity, etc. etc. Maybe the docs choose not to do the testing on them, but still do the testing on those who have no known other reason for increased inflammation.

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