Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (venipuncture)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turnaround Time: 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Monitor cancer treatment progress — track CEA levels to assess how well therapy is working
- Detect cancer recurrence early — identify returning cancer before symptoms appear for timely intervention
- Convenient confidential testing — order online, skip the doctor's office, access results quickly
- No fasting required — simple blood draw with minimal preparation for your convenience
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals diagnosed with colorectal, breast, lung, pancreatic, or other cancers needing treatment monitoring
- Cancer survivors in remission who require ongoing surveillance for recurrence
- Patients whose physicians recommend periodic CEA testing as part of care plans
- Anyone with elevated CEA in the past needing follow-up measurements
- People seeking proactive cancer marker monitoring with physician guidance
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Select your test, pay securely, and schedule your blood draw.
- Visit a lab — Get your blood drawn at any of the 2,000+ convenient lab locations nationwide.
- Receive results — Access results online in your secure account within days.
FAQ
What does the CEA test measure? It measures carcinoembryonic antigen protein levels in your blood, a marker for cancer monitoring.
Is this test used to screen for cancer? No, CEA testing is not recommended for routine cancer screening in healthy individuals.
Can non-cancerous conditions raise CEA levels? Yes, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic lung disease, liver disease, and smoking can elevate CEA.
Do I need to stop taking supplements before testing? Stop high-dose biotin supplements at least 72 hours before your blood draw to avoid interference.
Will smoking affect my test results? Yes, smokers typically have higher baseline CEA levels even without cancer, affecting interpretation.
How soon will I get my results? Results are typically available within one business day after your sample reaches the lab.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Blood Test measures CEA protein levels in your blood. CEA is normally produced during fetal development but remains low or undetectable in healthy adults (Mount Sinai Health System 2023). Elevated CEA levels can indicate certain cancers, including colorectal, breast, lung, pancreatic, stomach, liver, thyroid, and ovarian cancers.
This test is primarily used to monitor cancer treatment effectiveness and detect recurrence in patients already diagnosed with cancer. It helps your healthcare provider assess whether therapy is working or if cancer has returned. The CEA test is not recommended for general cancer screening because elevated levels can occur in benign conditions (Cleveland Clinic 2025).
Who would benefit from this test?
Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer or other CEA-associated cancers benefit most from regular CEA monitoring. The test helps track treatment response and identify recurrence early, when intervention is most effective. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S., with over 150,000 new cases annually, making CEA monitoring clinically important (American Cancer Society 2021).
Cancer survivors in remission also benefit from periodic CEA testing as part of surveillance protocols. Early detection of recurrence through CEA testing is associated with improved survival outcomes due to timely intervention (Canadian Cancer Society 2025). Your physician may recommend CEA testing if you have a history of elevated levels or specific symptoms.
When should I order a Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Blood Test?
Order this test after a cancer diagnosis to establish baseline levels or monitor treatment progress. If you're in remission, periodic testing helps detect recurrence before symptoms appear. Your physician will recommend an appropriate testing schedule based on your cancer type and treatment history.
Consider testing if you experience persistent symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, chronic fatigue, changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, persistent cough, or chronic abdominal pain. However, the CEA test is not intended for routine cancer screening in healthy individuals without cancer history. Always consult your healthcare provider to determine if CEA testing is appropriate for your situation.
How do I interpret the results?
CEA levels are measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Normal ranges vary by laboratory but are generally low or undetectable in healthy adults. Interpretation depends on your medical history, smoking status, and clinical context.
- Below 3.0 ng/mL – Normal range for non-smokers; no immediate concern, routine monitoring as directed
- 3.0–5.0 ng/mL – Normal range for smokers; borderline for non-smokers; discuss with physician and consider lifestyle factors
- 5.0–10.0 ng/mL – Mildly elevated; may indicate benign conditions or cancer; further evaluation and additional testing recommended
- Above 10.0 ng/mL – Significantly elevated; higher concern for active cancer; urgent physician consultation and possible imaging or biopsy needed
CEA has approximately 70–80% sensitivity in colorectal cancer follow-up, making it useful for monitoring but not definitive for diagnosis (LabCorp 2023).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required before your CEA blood test. However, if you take high-dose biotin supplements (often exceeding 5 mg daily), stop taking them at least 72 hours before your blood draw. Biotin can interfere with the immunoassay testing method, potentially affecting result accuracy.
Inform your healthcare provider if you smoke, as smokers typically have higher baseline CEA levels. Also mention any chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, or lung disease that might influence your results. Standard venipuncture preparation applies—wear comfortable clothing with easy arm access and stay hydrated.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your cancer status, treatment phase, and physician recommendations. Follow your healthcare provider's specific monitoring schedule for optimal results.
- 0–37 U/mL – Normal range; no immediate concern, follow routine surveillance
- 37–120 U/mL – Mildly elevated; may indicate benign inflammation or early disease, correlate with imaging and symptoms
- 120–1,000 U/mL – Moderately elevated; suggests possible malignancy, requires comprehensive diagnostic workup with CT/MRI
- >1,000 U/mL – Significantly elevated; often indicates advanced disease, oncology consultation and staging studies recommended
Why early detection matters
Early detection of cancer recurrence through CEA monitoring can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates. When cancer returns, identifying it before symptoms develop allows for earlier therapeutic intervention, when treatment is often more effective (Canadian Cancer Society 2025).
Regular CEA testing provides valuable trend data for your healthcare team. Rising CEA levels over multiple tests may signal recurrence even when imaging studies appear normal. This early warning enables your physician to order additional diagnostic tests and potentially initiate treatment sooner, giving you the best chance for successful management.
Related tests you may consider
CA 19-9 Test — complements CEA for monitoring pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers, providing broader tumor marker insight
CA-125 Test — useful alongside CEA for ovarian cancer surveillance and differential diagnosis
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Test — adds value in liver cancer monitoring when used with CEA for comprehensive assessment
