My mum had a check up last week which involved a blood test . Her CEA level was a little high at 12 so we went back and did another one which later came back at 16. We are going to have all the checks ups necessary to see if there is cancer anywhere but as she is a smoker with Rheumatoid arthritis im wondering if this can cause a high level of 16, should we be worried ?
Hi and welcome to Chat Doctor, thank you for your query. Yes, smokinmg can raise CEA markers UT this finding necessitate further diagnostic tests. It is mainly used as a tumor marker of colorectal carcinoma, but other tumors and some benign conditions can because of its elevation as well. In every case your mother should do colonoscopy and abdominal ct scan just to rule out cancer. If this is negative then it may indicate some cirrhosis, pancreatitis and RA too. But I suggest doing these tests to be sure. Wish you good health. Regards