CEA is rising

The thing about researching this stuff and reading it on the web is that unless you want to read EVERYTHING on the web, then don't read ANYTHING. I quit my job for 3 years to take care of my wife when she was diagnosed at 39 years old (we had 3 younger kids at the time) and read and read and read non-stop and eventually I was able to filter through the stats, studies and learn which publications to trust, etc. A quick google of "CEA rising" won't give you anything you like, I promise you that.

And yes, CEA levels might be giving you too much anxiety on a stand alone basis. They are of course relevant but you can easily worry yourself to misery. I bet if you did a CEA test in 2 weeks, that it could be 10% lower, but just a full 0.046 - nothing right? You're lucky enough to have been stage 2A, you were "lucky" enough to be the first in generations to get cancer, but don't assume you're lucky enough to have a slight rise in CEA destroy the amazing progress you've made in just 10 months. Keep the surveillance scans as planned and keep asking questions to your doctor, other experts and anywhere else you trust as a source of information.

Hello there.

Your fear is so understandable, and I bet there are few here, that have not experienced exactly what you are going through.

While I could tell you that a CEA of 4.6 is within normal range, I know for a fact that will not elevate your fear. I've been there, and nothing anyone can say, will help until I hear it from my Oncologist and further tests.

The key is to try not to let the fear run all over you and bring you down. That will not help the situation, if indeed you have something going on . When I faced the worst fears, I kept my head above water with meditation and lots of walking in the wilderness, things that worked for me. Find something that works for you. While the fear will not go away, it will not be in control.

When I had a recurrence eight months out from treatment, my CEA jumped from 3 to 13 and then above 20. They found a tumour growing in my liver, which I had ablated, with no follow-up chemo, that was NINE years ago. Yes, nine.

I know it is so normal to run straight to the worst scenario - I just did that with my latest Cancer scare, I KNEW it was a recurrence, but thankfully, I was wrong - and again I suggest making sure you don't let that fear consume you. I think Cancer loves fear, and it certainly loves stress.

And, don't worry about not getting a CEA level below 1.0 It is still relatively early days for that. You WILL get there. Make it a goal.

Keep us updated. We are here for you as you, soon, will be here for others.

Tru

There are a lot of things that can elevate CEA. Within the last couple years mine went as high as 15. Last time they drew blood, it was 1.3. Which is all to say, you cannot fixate on CEA numbers as there are a lot of inflammatory processes that can elevate CEA that have nothing to do with metastasis.

Hello.. I’m new here, but not new to cancer unfortunately. Everything you are all saying is comforting as my fear and anxiety have reached an all time high. I had chemo and surgery for t/2-t/3 colon cancer in 2019. All my tests have been clear until last month. My cea went from under 3, to 13. Pet scan says there’s a lesion on my liver that for years has been indeterminate, and too small to be anything. Now it is 1.8 cm, and after biopsy, is the colon cancer returning. Dr says surgery, and most likely 6 months of chemo. My oncologist is a nice person, but has nothing positive to say EVER. She says we won’t know for sure until after surgery. If there’s 1 node positive after the liver surgery, does that mean mandatory chemo?? I read about other treatments available. If they take the lesion out, and get it all, my hope is I will just be done. By the way, I developed an infection in my liver1 week after biopsy.. spent 3 days in hospital, now surgery waits for 4 weeks of antibiotics. Any advice would be a blessing as I’m scared, and anxious. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories… it’s brave, and very helpful.