colonoscopy frequency for MCers

Alicegf · Post by **Alicegf** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:16 am

Hello everyone,

A special hi and best wishes to all my old friends from Sally's original board! I hope you're well!

I searched the archives but can't find an answer to this question: after being diagnosed with MC by biopsy, and additionally having no polyps for the past 15 years what is the recommended frequency for repeat colonoscopies? I had my last colonoscopy 6 years ago - with no MC and no polyps. My GI says 6 years and then another, so I'm going in tomorrow. I should have researched this earlier because now I'm wondering if another scope so soon is really necessary?

I'm committed for tomorrow unless I want to pay $75 to cancel

Thanks!
Alice

mcardle3 · Post by **mcardle3** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:58 am

I can't address the colonoscopy after diagnosis issue, I'm 56 and have had over 15 colonoscopies and finally someone decided not to just look but biopsy. Thank God.

Because I've had so many I asked my Gut Gal (GI DOC) how often I need to go now and she said every 5 years.

Alicegf · Post by **Alicegf** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 12:07 pm

Mcardle.3

Thanks for your speedy reply. It sounds like you are an expert in the colonoscopy department, having had 15! I'm sorry you had to go through it so mnay times and hope you are doing well now!

Alice

mcardle3 · Post by **mcardle3** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 12:32 pm

Alicegf wrote:Mcardle.3

Thanks for your speedy reply. It sounds like you are an expert in the colonoscopy department, having had 15! I'm sorry you had to go through it so mnay times and hope you are doing well now!

Alice

I'm a pro at the prep, to be sure! I've had to do them all and am forever grateful not to ever have to do that golytely or phospho soda one EVER again!

Yes, I was a sick girl for a long time. My mother still goes for one a year at age 79.

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 1:49 pm

I don't think there's an urgency in colonoscopies for just the MC, but if you have a high family history of colon cancer (as I do in my family), I go every 5 years. My GI told me that it wasn't necessary to have a colonoscopy just to check the MC. I might add that I get by with only going every 5 years because I haven't had any polyps. If there are polyps, I would need to do it every 3 years.

HappyBird · Post by **HappyBird** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 1:54 pm

Hello Alice........

You have a difficult decision to make. You simply have to be willing to lose the cancellation fee and go with your gut feeling. If you feel it's right for you, have the colonoscopy. If you are unsure then give yourself time to think. Ask the doctor to tell you what the benefits and reason for the colonoscopy at this time. Having a colonoscopy is a big and costly procedure, you need to be happy and satisfied with the reasons or ask for a second opinion.

Alicegf · Post by **Alicegf** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 2:52 pm

Jari and others,

Thank you all for your replies! My paternal grandfather died of colon cancer, I think. I don't know if that puts me at high risk or not. I don't know of any other family members having it.
Jari, my husband is supposed to go in every 3 years because he's had benign polyps in the past. The yummy clean-out drink starts at 6 p.m. today, if I chose to go ahead with it!

Alicegf · Post by **Alicegf** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 3:03 pm

Jari and others,

Thank you all for your replies! I called the doctor and his nurse looked up my chart. She told me the reason for the 6 year interval instead of 10 is that my grandfather (I think) had colon cancer. That evidently puts me at higher risk. So onward I go to the cleanout!

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 3:20 pm

Yes, your grandfather having colon cancer would send you into the higher risk. My mom died of colon cancer and my dad had some of his colon removed. My mom's brother also died of colon cancer. That sends me to the very high risk. I'm hoping this clean living diet I'm on will help reduce mine just a little! :)

HappyBird · Post by **HappyBird** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 5:16 pm

Alicegf wrote:I called the doctor and his nurse looked up my chart. She told me the reason for the 6 year interval instead of 10 is that my grandfather (I think) had colon cancer. That evidently puts me at higher risk. So onward I go to the cleanout!

Good luck for tomorrow, hope all goes well and they find no abnormalities.

My father died of Ca Colon when I was twenty. I'll only have another colonoscopy if there are signs of cancer either from blood tests - raised ESR or bleeding. I think colonoscopy prep and colonoscopy itself is very rough on the insides. That's just me!

garina · Post by **garina** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 6:09 pm

My sister died of colon cancer two years ago. Because of that, I'm supposed to get one every 5 years. I'm due in May. My husband has polyps and had a huge one this year, so he has to get another one again next year.

garina

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 6:37 pm

When I was diagnosed with LC the GI said he wanted to do another colonoscopy in 5 years so I would imagine it will be recommended every 5 years for me. That was my first colonoscopy and luckily I had it scheduled when my symptoms began so I was diagnosed rather quickly compared to some who suffer for years.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 8:23 am

I plan to use Mayo's Cologuard test for colon cancer next time and hopefully (forever) bypass colonoscopies.
http://www.cologuardtest.com/ I had polyps for my first two colonoscopies but not the last time. Vitamin D????

Alicegf · Post by **Alicegf** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:16 am

Deb,

That sounds great, but in reading the first page of the link I discovered that it shouldn't be used for those with high risk: including IBD and family history of colon cancer. So that crosses me out.

Thanks for the link!

Alice