Blue Horizon Medicals Cancer screening

Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA)

A single-marker blood test for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), used to monitor cancers that have already been diagnosed, such as bowel cancer, rather than to screen for new disease.

  • At-home test
  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
At-home finger-prick or Tasso autodraw or venous draw at clinic or nurse home visit
Results in
1 day
Biomarkers
1
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • Carcino Embryonic Antigen

Test specifications

Provider
Blue Horizon Medicals
Sample type
blood
Collection method
at-home finger-prick or Tasso autodraw or venous draw at clinic or nurse home visit
Turnaround time
1 day
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
Yes
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Blue Horizon Medicals.

  • Carcino Embryonic Antigen

About this test

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein that can rise when certain cancers, most commonly bowel cancer, are present or return. Blue Horizon is explicit that this is a monitoring tool for people already diagnosed, not a screening test for the general population.

Blue Horizon doesn't group this test against named competitors, so we can't say whether its price or depth beats similar single-marker cancer tests. It scores well for collection convenience, since you can use an at-home finger-prick or Tasso autodraw kit, or opt for a clinic or nurse home visit, and for results and follow-up, because a doctor reviews the result. The listing also states the sample type, turnaround and collection options clearly, which supports its clarity score.

Trust here comes from Blue Horizon's Trustpilot rating of 4.2 from 395 reviews and its use of UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs, both of which apply across the wider Blue Horizon range rather than to this test alone. If you're worried about cancer risk without an existing diagnosis, this single marker won't screen for it, and a GP is the better starting point.

Who is it for?

This suits people already diagnosed with a cancer such as bowel cancer who want to track CEA levels during or after treatment, or to watch for signs of recurrence, alongside advice from their treating clinician. It also suits anyone who already has CEA monitored elsewhere and wants a faster or more convenient way to repeat it.

It's not the right choice if you have no cancer diagnosis and want a general check: the provider is clear this marker isn't for screening, and a GP is a more appropriate first step for new or worrying symptoms.

How it works

You collect a blood sample at home with a finger-prick kit or Tasso autodraw device, or have a venous draw at a clinic or during a nurse home visit. The lab tests the sample for CEA alone, with results typically ready within a day, and a doctor reviews the result before you see your report.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Results are typically ready within a single day.
  • A doctor reviews your result as part of the service.
  • Choose an at-home finger-prick or Tasso autodraw kit, a clinic visit, or a nurse home visit.
  • The listing clearly states the sample type, turnaround and collection choices.

Cons

  • Costs more than the average price for similar-sized cancer screening tests we track (+10%).
  • Only tests one marker, so it can't build a wider clinical picture alone.
  • Not intended as a cancer screening test for people without an existing diagnosis.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score For monitoring known cancer, not screening
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This CEA blood test costs £82.25 and is designed to monitor an existing cancer diagnosis rather than screen the general population. There's no peer group listed for it, so we can't compare its price or depth with similar tests. It offers a next-day result with a doctor review.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 8.0/10

    The listing publishes a short description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 6.4/10

    1 biomarkers, placing it in the 32nd percentile of cancer screening tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 10.0/10

    A finger-prick sample you take at home; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 1 days, well ahead of the cancer screening norm of 5.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 7.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 395 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); trading 17+ years.

  • Value for money 6.0/10

    £82.25 against a median of £75.00 for the 19 similarly sized cancer screening tests we track (+10%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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