Also Known As
CEA Test, Carcinoembryonic Antigen Test, Carcinoembryonic Antigen Assay, CEA Assay
What Is the Purpose of the CEA Blood Test
Cancer screening is an important wellness tool. When this disease is detected early, you may have more treatment options and better odds of a successful outcome. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer after a screening test, the next step is determining the extent of the disease, or what stage it is at. A CEA blood test is used for staging and treating several different types of cancers.
What Does the CEA Lab Test Measure?
The carcinoembryonic antigen test is often used as a tumor marker and helps determine the stage of the disease and its progression during treatment. The test is often used for patients with cancer, especially gastrointestinal (GI) and, in particular, colorectal cancer. It may also be helpful for monitoring cancers in other parts of the body, including the rectum, lung, breast, liver, pancreas, stomach, and ovary.
Who Should Take a Blood Test for CEA?
Physicians may order CEA testing for colorectal, ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and lung cancers. The test can also be used to monitor people with these cancers to determine the effectiveness of their treatment plans.
CEA Testing Preparation
No special preparation is necessary for the CEA blood test for cancer markers.
CEA Blood Work Results
The typical range for CEA results is 0 to 2.5 ng/mL. Higher levels may indicate that cancer has returned, or it could indicate other health issues such as liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or problems in the gallbladder, lungs, stomach, or pancreas. A chronic smoking habit may also influence the results.
If there is a concern that cancer has returned, we have blood tests for several types of the disease, including:
Where Can I Get a CEA Blood Test Near Me?
CEA lab tests are conveniently accessible with Personalabs. Our online collection of men’s and women’s health tests makes it easy to find the ones you need. The testing process is simple:
Step 1: Purchase your test and download the lab order. (A doctor’s approval isn’t necessary, depending on what state you live in.)
Step 2: Visit our lab locator to find the facility nearest you among our 4,000-plus partner labs across America.
Step 3: Bring the test order to the lab when it’s time to have your blood drawn.
Step 4: Accurate results will appear in your secure and confidential Personalabs account, usually within 2 to 10 business days.
Want assistance? Our customer service team can answer questions about our tests and help you find the ones you need. If you want expert guidance on next steps after getting your results, schedule a telehealth appointment with one of our board-certified physicians. Order a blood test for CEA from Personalabs if you want to take control of your health. Shop our selection of tests today.
