For a man who had colorectal cancer 3 years ago, what would be a worrisome value on a cea test?

Above normal.: A CEA test doesn't always pick up colon cancer, but if someone has had colon cancer, a CEA result that is higher than normal is worrisome. Each lab has different values for normal. Ask the doctor for a copy of your lab test. The normal values will be printed beside the result. Example: CEA 3.5 (0.8-5.0) means the CEA is normal because it is between 0.8 and 5.0.

Increasing: If the CEA was within the reference range and is now higher, it suggests return of the tumor. More definitive testing will still need to be done. Remember that colon cancer, even when metastatic, is not inconsistent with a good-quality survival of up to several years.

D/w your oncologist: Cea's sensitivity and specificity are not 100%- meaning many other conditions can affect the level of CEA besides colon cancer. The level is also different in a smoker and non smoker. The trend over time would be more important than just one number at certain time. In general for non smoker the level is less than 5 and for smoker could go up to 7.5. Please discuss with your oncologist however.