The short explanation
CEA, or carcinoembryonic antigen, is a protein that can be raised in some cancers, especially bowel cancer, but it is also raised for many non-cancer reasons. Smoking, inflammation of the bowel, liver disease, lung infections, pancreatitis and some other conditions can all push CEA up a little. A slightly raised level on its own does not mean cancer. CEA is mainly used to monitor people who have already been treated for certain cancers, rather than to screen healthy people. If your result was found during a health check, a doctor will look at your symptoms, history and examination, and decide whether further tests, such as a repeat CEA, stool test or colonoscopy, are needed.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Symptoms such as blood in stool, a lasting change in bowel habit, weight loss or anaemia make further tests more important.
- Smokers often have slightly higher CEA levels.
- Family history of bowel cancer is worth mentioning to your doctor.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you why your CEA is raised. A doctor will need your history and possibly further tests.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- How high is my CEA, and how concerned are you?
- Could smoking or another condition explain it?
- Do I need a repeat test or colonoscopy?
- What symptoms should I look out for?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a week or two to discuss the result, especially if you have bowel symptoms or weight loss.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine follow-up to decide on further tests.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Colorectal cancer MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Colorectal cancer National Cancer Institute (NIH)
- Cancer — signs and symptoms NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
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- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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