Lab test · Oncology
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
Bowel & other cancer marker
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 2 days
- Home collection
What this test is for
Bowel & other cancer marker
CEA is a protein normally present only in very small amounts in adults' blood, but some cancers, particularly bowel (colorectal) cancer, can release more of it, so it is known as a tumour marker. The test is mainly used in people already diagnosed with cancer, to get a starting level before treatment, to check how treatment is working and to look for signs of the cancer returning. It is not a reliable screening test for people without symptoms.
Why a doctor may order it
- Before treatment for bowel cancer, to set a baseline level
- During treatment, to help check how well it is working
- During follow-up after surgery, to look for early signs of the cancer returning
- Occasionally for other cancers, such as stomach, pancreas, lung or breast cancer
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You can eat and drink normally; there is no need to fast. Continue your usual medicines unless your doctor gives other advice. Tell your doctor if you smoke, as smoking can raise CEA. Where possible, have repeat tests done by the same laboratory so the results are comparable.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector comes to your home at the time you book and draws a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. It takes a few minutes, which can make regular follow-up tests easier to fit around treatment.
- Report
- Within 2 days of collection.
What the results can mean
Your report shows the CEA level next to the laboratory's reference range. A rising level over time may suggest the cancer is growing or has returned, while a falling level often means treatment is working. CEA can also be mildly raised in smokers and in conditions that are not cancer, such as inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease or pancreatitis, and a normal level does not rule out cancer. Your doctor will interpret the trend alongside scans and your symptoms.
What's included
One test: Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Stool Occult Blood Test (OBT)This test looks for small amounts of blood in stool that cannot be seen with the naked eye (occult means hidden).
- CA 19-9 (Cancer Antigen 19-9)Pancreas & gut cancer marker৳570
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein made mainly by the liver of an unborn baby, so levels are naturally high in pregnancy and very low in other adults.
- CA-125 (Cancer Antigen 125)CA-125 is a protein that can be released into the blood by ovarian cancer cells, although other tissues in the body make it too.
- Liver Function Test (LFT)A liver function test is a group of blood tests that show how well your liver is working and whether it is inflamed or damaged.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
Questions people ask
Can a CEA test detect cancer early?
No. CEA is not used to screen healthy people, because it can be normal in early cancer and raised in conditions that are not cancer. It is most useful for following a cancer that has already been diagnosed.
Why is CEA higher in smokers?
Smoking can cause a mild rise in CEA without any cancer being present. Your doctor takes smoking into account when reading the result.
What does a rising CEA mean?
A steady rise over several tests can be a sign that a cancer has returned or grown, and your doctor may arrange scans. A single small change is less meaningful than the overall trend.
How much does a CEA test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳570, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the CEA test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the CEA report take?
The report is usually ready within 2 days of the sample being collected.