CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)
Mainly used to monitor treated bowel cancer, not to screen for it.
Also known as: CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen
Price on request
We can collect this sample at your home, free of charge. Book a home visit.
- Turnaround
- 24–48 hours
- Preparation
- No fasting needed. Eat and drink normally.
- Sample
- Blood sample
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About this test
CEA rises in colorectal and several other cancers, but also in smokers and in benign bowel and liver disease, so it is a poor screening test in someone with no diagnosis. Its real value is the trend after treatment, where a rising level prompts a search for recurrence.
What it measures
- Serum carcinoembryonic antigen
A note on results. A single test is one part of a clinical picture, not a diagnosis. Discuss your report with a qualified doctor, who will read it alongside your history and examination.
Related to
- Cancer screening
Often ordered with this
AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein)
A liver and germ-cell tumour marker, also used in antenatal screening.
- 24–48 hours
- No fasting
- Home collection
BCR-ABL
Diagnoses chronic myeloid leukaemia and measures response to treatment.
- 10–14 working days
- No fasting
- Home collection
Beta-2 Microglobulin
Used to stage myeloma and lymphoma, and to assess kidney handling.
- 3–5 working days
- No fasting
- Home collection