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Two of the most established cancer risk markers for gastrointestinal and liver cancer surveillance. One simple test.
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Two-marker cancer risk screen measuring CEA (colorectal/gastrointestinal) and AFP (liver/testicular). Suitable for men and women.
This focused two-marker panel measures CEA and AFP — two of the most clinically established serum tumour markers applicable to both men and women. CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) is associated with colorectal, gastric, lung, and pancreatic cancers; AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) screens for hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) and, in men, testicular germ cell tumours. These markers are most valuable for longitudinal monitoring — building a personal baseline so that a rising trend can be identified over time — and for individuals with known risk factors such as chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or a personal or family history of relevant cancers. A normal result provides reassurance but does not exclude malignancy. Elevated results require GP review and appropriate investigation. All results are reviewed by a GMC-registered physician.
Understand what each marker measures, why it matters, and what the science says — not just a list of numbers.
This panel is designed for adults who want a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of their metabolic health — not a GP referral panel.
People with a family history of colorectal or liver cancer
Individuals with chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or a history of hepatitis B or C
Those with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis) monitoring GI health
Men who want a liver and testicular marker alongside their standard health checks
Anyone seeking a simple two-marker cancer surveillance baseline
CEA and AFP are non-specific markers with multiple benign causes of elevation. CEA rises in smokers, cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic lung conditions; AFP rises in liver cirrhosis, active hepatitis, and pregnancy. Neither marker is sufficiently sensitive or specific to function as a standalone cancer diagnostic test. An elevated result is a signal requiring clinical investigation, not a diagnosis. A normal result is reassuring but does not exclude cancer, particularly early-stage disease. The sensitivity of CEA for colorectal cancer at stage I is approximately 30 to 40 percent. Serial testing over time to detect a rising trend is more clinically informative than a single isolated result.
From order to physician-reviewed report in as little as three working days.
Home fingerstick kit or mobile phlebotomist at checkout.
A fasted sample reduces non-specific variation. Water permitted.
Pre-paid Royal Mail envelope included.
Physician-reviewed commentary in 3 to 5 working days.
Three options designed to fit your schedule, location, and preference — all producing a laboratory-standard sample.
Adults 18+ in mainland UK. Not suitable if you have had a transfusion in the last 3 months.
Order anytime; kit dispatched within 24 hours Mon–Fri.
Allow 24–48 hours for sample transit on top of lab processing time.
Adults 18+ within 20 miles of a serviced city centre.
Mon–Sun, 06:00–20:00. Next-day booking typical.
Sample reaches the lab within 24 hours of collection.
Adults 16+ with photo ID. Paediatric draws by appointment at selected sites.
Mon–Fri, with Saturday hours at most metropolitan locations.
Samples processed same-day at the receiving clinic.
Every test is processed in a UKAS ISO 15189-accredited laboratory, overseen by GMC-registered physicians, and governed by UK GDPR. No overseas processing, no offshore data.
Follow these guidelines to ensure accurate, reproducible results. Most markers are sensitive to recent food, exercise, and sleep.
Can't find your answer? Our clinical support team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Contact supportCEA monitoring is most clinically established and valuable for individuals who have previously been diagnosed with a CEA-secreting colorectal cancer, where serial measurements are used to detect recurrence after surgical resection or chemotherapy. In a preventative context, individuals with a strong family history of colorectal cancer, longstanding inflammatory bowel disease (particularly ulcerative pancolitis of more than 10 years duration), or known colonic polyps represent a higher-risk group for whom periodic CEA monitoring alongside endoscopic surveillance is reasonable. CEA has not been validated as a population screening tool and should not replace colonoscopy.
Cigarette smoke contains multiple carcinogens that stimulate the production of CEA from epithelial cells, particularly in the bronchial mucosa. Heavy smokers commonly have CEA levels in the range of 5 to 10 ng/mL, compared with the typical reference range of below 2.5 ng/mL in non-smokers. This means that the upper threshold for concern is effectively different in current smokers. When interpreting a CEA result in a smoker, the physician commentary will contextualise the result relative to the expected smoking-related elevation and advise on whether the reading warrants further investigation.
AFP is used in clinical practice to monitor individuals with known risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly those with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C, where serial AFP alongside liver ultrasound is used for surveillance every six months. As a population screening tool for liver cancer in low-risk individuals, AFP lacks sensitivity and specificity. However, for individuals with chronic liver disease who are not yet enrolled in specialist surveillance, a baseline AFP and liver ultrasound arranged through their GP or hepatologist is appropriate. Normal AFP does not exclude early hepatocellular carcinoma.
An elevated CEA or AFP warrants prompt discussion with your GP. They will want to consider your full clinical picture — symptoms, smoking history, alcohol use, liver disease history, and any medications — before deciding on the appropriate investigation. For elevated AFP, a liver ultrasound is typically the first investigation to assess for hepatic lesions. For elevated CEA, a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis or colonoscopy may be considered, depending on symptoms and the degree of elevation. Do not delay seeking a GP appointment if your result is elevated; prompt investigation leads to better outcomes when cancer is present.
Your first result becomes your personal baseline. For future tests to be most informative, aim to collect under consistent conditions each time: same time of day, same fasting state, and away from illness or inflammatory conditions. A single result above the population reference range can generate anxiety but needs to be placed in context; a result that was previously normal and has doubled over six to twelve months is more clinically concerning than a mildly elevated result that has been stable for years. Annual testing creates a dataset that a physician can interpret as a trend rather than a single data point.
