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Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing in colorectal cancer follow up: what do patients think?

¹ Edinburgh Cancer Centre, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
² Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Nicola Steele
The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK; nicola.steele{at}northglasgow.scot.nhs.uk

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) blood test is included in most colorectal cancer follow up protocols, despite little clear evidence for its cost-effectiveness and survival benefit. In this study, patients’ views were sought on the use of the CEA blood test in their follow up. Strong associations were found between the age of a patient’s children and their concern about cancer recurrence and between concern about recurrence and anxiety about CEA test results (p<0.0001). Many patients expressed a desire for prognostic information, however uncertain or poor. Patients’ views should be sought when designing colorectal cancer follow up protocols to ensure their needs are adequately addressed.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; follow up; questionnaire; carcinoembryonic antigen