I'm also OK at the moment, thanks. However, I know exactly what it's like to wait for results to come through. It's agonising. I think lots of people here can sympathise with you, because we've all been through it.
Hi! I had blood and stool tests in Dec. I've lost a bit of weight without trying! Tests came back negative from GP. I called my GP a few weeks ago - different GP - and she said my CEA was a 6 when it should be a 5. Much to my shame I smoke and this raises CEA levels. So I had a thorax, abdomen and pelvis CT scan last week. Just having the scan made me feel ill! I have a bad feeling about this. I don't understand why the initial GP gave the all clear, when the next one didn't! Worrying. Thx for listening.
Hi. I'm not a doctor and I'm not an expert on CEA tests.
Looking around, it seems that the "median" level for female smokers is 4.9, so setting the upper limit of the reference range to just higher than the median will mean a lot of people will be identified as outside the reference, and most of them won't have cancer. In addition, it appears you've had a clear stool test, whereas most bowel cancers put blood in the stool (although some don't).
So it looks like you've had at least one good test (possibly others that you haven't mentioned) plus one which is somewhat iffy. Two doctors have looked at this and one has decided to be safe rather than sorry and refer you. This happens a lot. Most people who get referred for "urgent" cancer tests turn out not to have cancer. It's happened to me a couple of times, and also to my wife. Unfortunately, it's always nerve-wracking when it happens to you, but there's every reason to be hopeful.
Thanks for your reply. I totally agree with you. I obviously hope this is an all clear in the scan. Fingers crossed. Smoking is a mug's game and I've given up, but the damage may already be done. I hope that all goes well with you. Kind regards
I'm ok at the moment, thanks. I had surgery for prostate cancer 10 years ago, and so far it's been ok. I also had a small op for bladder cancer 18 months ago. If my next cystoscopy in June is ok then I get the all clear for that, too. That makes two cancers so far, and I've been relatively lucky each time that it's been caught early. I'm hoping that's my share and there won't be any more!!
Let us know when you get the results, or earlier if you just want to chat. Well done for giving up smoking.
Very well done you! Let's hope that's the end of it for you. I must say the CT scan jolted me into perspective. It is a real scare for me and I have been a fool to smoke. Apart from the appalling health problems it can give you, it's dirty and expensive. But you always tell yourself that it won't happen to you! Well it might have happened to me! So I am jittery but fingers crossed . Thx for your post.
