Clean 'scope' 4 years ago-could cancer appear in this short of a time? - Cancer: Colon Message Board

manchak99 · 07-17-2009, 07:56 AM

having a followup scope.....both scopes before were clean. i have ulcerative procticis so they want to keep an eye on me plus when i was 25 i had a precancerous polyp. so..the prefer to do regular scopes on me.
was just curious as to how quickly (or slowly) cancer can form?

regslady · 07-17-2009, 11:47 PM

I got in an argument with a doctor a long time ago about the frequency of colonoscopies. I can't remember whether he was scheduling them every seven years or every nine years. In any case, I thought they should be much more frequent given my history. I think I was trying for every five years and it was his opinion that it would take cancer much longer than that to appear in the colon. I still don't like that large time period between tests, but he supposedly knew what he was talking about.

RDFLA · 07-18-2009, 10:23 AM

In Feb. 2009 I learned I have Stage IV Colon Cancer. CT and PET scans indicate mets to the liver and bladder. I had a colonoscopy in mid 2005. Other than the removal of a couple of benign polyps all looked fine. Now, from that picture to this in 3.5 years is something of a shock.

--R.D.

manchak99 · 07-18-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDFLA

In Feb. 2009 I learned I have Stage IV Colon Cancer. CT and PET scans indicate mets to the liver and bladder. I had a colonoscopy in mid 2005. Other than the removal of a couple of benign polyps all looked fine. Now, from that picture to this in 3.5 years is something of a shock.

--R.D.

did you have any symptoms that led you to this year's scope?

RDFLA · 07-18-2009, 10:46 PM

Hi Manchak:

In reply to your question, prior to the discovery of the left side colon tumor I was experiencing more frequent BM’s, occasional blood on the tissue and narrow stools off and on for several months, but I chose to ignore it, telling myself hemorrhoids were involved -- perhaps aggravated by my daily aspirin regiment.

While hospitalized for a heart attack during the last week of January I was put on a powerful IV blood thinner (Heparin) and that caused heavy bleeding during bowel movements, so much so this in turn brought about the scope and the DX. Even though I am now 5.5 months post DX, I’ve apparently had the tumor longer than that – thus shortening the time since my previous scope in mid 2005 where nothing alarming was seen. My personal experience, it seems, calls into question as to how often a person should have a colonoscopy. I suppose several factors should be considered such as age. I am 68 years old.

--R.D.