Ministry of Health Data Reveals Age, Gender, and Clinicspecific Differences in CEA Test Outcomes for Colorectal Cancer Detection

Objective: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker associated with various malignancies, including colorectal cancer. This study analyzes the use and outcomes of CEA testing in Türkiye, with a focus on colorectal cancer detection. The objective of this study is to examine the values of CEA in Türkiye, how it is used in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how it can be optimized. Methods: Data from a five-year period (2017-2021) were analyzed, including a total of 27,394,778 tests from 4,016,178 individuals. The CEA test results were obtained through immunoassay method and extracted from the National Health Database System of the Turkish Ministry of Health. Results: The study found that the number of CEA tests and the number of tests per 100,000 population increased progressively between 2017 and 2019, followed by a decrease in 2020 and 2021. The rate of tests exceeding the reference range was highest in the over-65 age group and in men. The study also found that the number of CEA tests requested was highest in the Marmara region and Central Anatolia region and lowest in the Southeastern Anatolia region. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the application and outcomes of CEA tests in the detection of colorectal cancer across various demographic groups in Türkiye. Despite its limitations, this study reveals gender, age, and clinic-specific disparities in test application and outcomes, and underscores the potential value of CEA as a biomarker in cancer detection. Future research should aim for a more comprehensive data collection that encompasses lifestyle and genetic factors, longitudinal tracking of individuals in order to capture disease progression, and to explore additional biomarkers for colorectal cancer.