12-20-2016, 07:00 AM
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#1 | | Junior Member (female)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
| When to get colonoscopy?
Hi everyone,
My mother was diagnosed in early November with stage 4 colon cancer (she never went to the doctors) and died on December 10th. She was 69 years of age. Her father had colon cancer in his mid sixties, however they caught it and he had to have a colostomy bag, but he lived for 20 years after that.
I'm 47 and am wondering if I should start getting colonoscopies now instead of waiting until I'm 50. I saw my physician assistant a few weeks back (regular doc was unavailable) and she said that I could wait until 50 but get colonoscopies every 3-5 years. I think I should start now what do you think?  I'm female btw if that makes any difference.
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12-20-2016, 08:11 AM
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#2 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 11,152
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Hi there. Good question. This is just my opinion, but I have had 9 people in my extended family die of Colon Cancer. When I was 30 I had my first colonoscopy. Colon Cancer is very slow growing and according to every GI doctor I have seen (Ive moved several times over the years and had to change doctors) each has told me that every 5 years is plenty of time to catch cancerous growths...so I have now had 5 of them. My latest doctor says I should do it every 3 years now that I am over 50.
The test is a piece of cake. The prep is lousy, but the good news is you lose allot of weight overnight! Honestly though, the test is really nothing. Painless and over in 20 minutes.
You should start now. There is absolutely NO reason to wait.
Go see a good GI doctor and talk to them about family history and let them help you decide...
MSNik
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12-20-2016, 10:14 AM
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#3 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 4,417
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Get one asap and request thorough biopsies throughout for a good baseline. If you have kids, they should have one as well.
q
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12-20-2016, 11:34 AM
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#4 | | Junior Member (female)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Thank you for your responses. I will be setting up an appointment with a gastroenterologist after the holidays. I also think I should not wait until 50
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12-20-2016, 08:15 PM
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#5 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 4,417
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Please let us know the outcome.
q
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12-21-2016, 07:42 AM
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#6 | | Junior Member (female)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by quincy  Please let us know the outcome.
q |
I will be sure to do that  |
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01-10-2017, 05:36 AM
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#7 | | Junior Member (female)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
I have mine scheduled for March 3rd. I will let you know the outcome. My insurance will cover it which is good since I am not 50 yet.
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01-10-2017, 10:51 AM
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#8 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 4,417
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Good to hear its soon. What prep will you be using?
q
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01-10-2017, 11:05 AM
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#9 | | Junior Member (female)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by quincy Good to hear its soon. What prep will you be using?
q | I will be using miralax/dulcolax with gatorade, hope it's not too bad, however, it beats the alternative
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01-10-2017, 09:10 PM
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#10 | | Senior Member (female)
Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: state
Posts: 146
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Go for it and put your mind at rest.Its painless .The prep is the hard part but very doable.
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01-10-2017, 09:44 PM
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#11 | | Member (male)
Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: canada
Posts: 50
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
good luck.
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01-11-2017, 05:17 AM
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#12 | | Junior Member (female)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Thanks everyone! |
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01-11-2017, 08:38 AM
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#13 | | Senior Veteran (male)
Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,135
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Good luck on your test.
It's not bad. You can drink fruit juice and stuff day before so your not hungry.
After the test is done you should feel great.
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01-11-2017, 09:48 AM
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#14 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 4,417
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
I've never done that prep....i only do the unflavoured gallon one.
You can enjoy a nice breakfast and have a good rest afterward. Please, please request thorough biopsies considering your mom's bowel cancer.
Let us know how it goes for you,
q
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03-01-2017, 05:41 AM
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#15 | | Junior Member (female)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
| Re: When to get colonoscopy?
Tomorrow is prep day! I'm nervous as heck lol! Gatorade/Miralax/Dulcalax!! Anxious to get it started and over with! I will update my experience after it's all over for anyone who is going through this for the first time.
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