posted
Why was one drawn on you? Do you have cancer or did you have cancer at one time?
Posts: 412 | From Virginia | Registered: Sep 2010
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17hens
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23747
posted
Dr. S, the babesia author, says that babesia can lead to cancer.
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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My husband has had colon cancer, and has also been treating Lyme for 5+ years. His oncologist has been using the CEA test as a marker to track potential recurrence post-chemo.
His CEA has varied from 1.9 to (recently) 3.5. It's definitely true that inflammation, particularly in the GI tract, can cause increases/false positives in CEA numbers. It's also the case that tumors may occur without this being reflected in the CEA level.
We are hoping that the recent spike is a false positive (he did have some GI disturbance on the day of the blood draw); he'll do another CEA in a month, and then have a scan if the number is still on the high side.
Our oncologist says that the important thing is the trend, so any single reading may not be enough data. His oncologist likes to have at least 3 data points to work with.
The bottom line is that only a CAT and/or PET scan can give you the full story.
By the way, I'd like to step up on the soapbox for just a moment to say that Lyme and cancer CAN co-occur. Everyone who's reading this, please get your scheduled colonoscopies and other tests. My husband was asymptomatic when he was diagnosed.
Karenl, I hope that your marker is just a matter of inflammation. Please do let us know.
Best to you, Viva
Posts: 532 | From southeast US | Registered: Oct 2005
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karenl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17753
posted
CEA is just drawn as a routine lab when I do a blood draw every year - no specific reason.
I would recommend it for everyone - at least over 40 or 50.
Viva, good idea, I will retest in some months.
Is your husband on LDN? Please read about LDN at [email protected], many use it with cancer.But it also helps for inflammation.
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
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I just had elevated EOS and NRBC for my last labs with a few other things off that could indicate several things. My LLMD had me go to an Hemo/Oncol. Dr. and run more tests! It turned out to be the change of medication which stirred up a lot!
Posts: 476 | From Columbus, Ohio | Registered: Aug 2007
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karenl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17753
posted
Stacy,
I know the meds and the inflammation can influence the tests. Maybe I also get more tests if the marker is the same in some months.
Your eos are indicative for parasites, are you treating them?
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
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Thanks for the info on parasites. I am on antimalarial meds but have not directly treated parasites and it is on my list of next things to do as I hear that this helped so many get to a better place. I need to get on the humaworm website again. Any other things that have helped with parasites?
Thanks
Posts: 476 | From Columbus, Ohio | Registered: Aug 2007
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