Question on colonoscopy

DCJ007 · New User Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

Hi All
My thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Question - I still can't figure out why most Dr.'s do not want to conduct colonoscopy until you are 50 yrs old (I am talking about a patient that has no family history of colon cancer and in generally good health).

I assume it is an expensive prodecure (damn those insurance companies) which is rationale in addition to looking at family statistics.

But still, I would think, especially for males, that beginning at age 35 it would be an annual test.

Especially when you consider what most females go through at their annual visits at OB-GYN.

Just curious, thanks for listening.

whipsnade · New User Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: socal

the fact is, we are statistical beings and maybe suject to treatments that reflect our finacial position and not our phiysical condion or awareness.

i.e. sometimes the best doctor is yourself or at least a doctor who is going through the same condition as you are.
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stage 2 colorectal/diag march 2007/post chemo-radiotherpy

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 796 Location: UK

[quote="DCJ007"]Hi All
My thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Question - I still can't figure out why most Dr.'s do not want to conduct colonoscopy until you are 50 yrs old (I am talking about a patient that has no family history of colon cancer and in generally good health).

I assume it is an expensive prodecure (damn those insurance companies) which is rationale in addition to looking at family statistics.

But still, I would think, especially for males, that beginning at age 35 it would be an annual test.

Especially when you consider what most females go through at their annual visits at OB-GYN.

Just curious, thanks for listening.[/quote]

It is very possible that it is regarded as an invasive technique which could cause problems, and not something you want to do too frequently or unless necessary.

Darwin · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:16 am Post subject: Re: Question on colonoscopy

I have read that there is a chance of tearing of the colon or bleeding so perhaps that's why the drs are somewhat cautious about suggesting it
_________________
Ex husband's diagnosis was January 2006, stage IV bowel cancer with mets to liver and lungs. Two years of continuous chemo, folfox then folfirri. On MAX chemo now. Has had radiation to pelvic area and radioactive SIRT spheres injected through the portal vein into the liver.

REB · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:52 am Post subject: Re: Question on colonoscopy

I was 40 last year when I found out I had Colon Cancer. A colonoscopy a year earlier probably would have saved me a lot of grief if they could have caught it as a polyp. But like you said, they do them at 50.

PET scans could also find cancer tumors early on.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

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