Do I Really Need to Have a Colonoscopy?

Jane_M
Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
edited June 2014 in High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
Do I Really Need to Have a Colonoscopy?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«13

Comments

  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited February 2010

    I mean, really?  Who wants to have a colonoscopy?  I'm the type to bury my head in the sand and hope things will go away, anyway.  Both my mom and grandmother had colon cancer.  My first colonoscopy about 11 years ago, they took out a benign polyp.  I had another colonoscopy about 8 years ago which was normal.  I was supposed to go back 6 years ago for another one, but they are soooo much fun, I didn't.  So, now I have breast cancer... DH wants me to have my PCP set me up for a colonoscopy,  Since I had a normal PET scan in August and normal tumor markers at the beginning of this month, my thoughts are that, if I had colon cancer, those would show it, right?  So, what do you think?  Am I safe, or should I bite the bullet and schedule the colonoscopy?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited February 2010

    my doctor wanted me to get one too

    and it is a good thing they took out a couple

    of precancerous polyps

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Jane---absolutely go for the colonoscopy! I also have a strong family history of colon ca (grandmother died of it, mom has had it twice along with bc)--I went for my first one at 46, within 7 months of bc diagnosis, and GI doc said "with your family history, it's a good thing you're here". They removed one polyp which was benign. I had another one last year (5 years apart) which was clear. My one sister and I are very diligent about going every 5 years, but I haven't been able to convince my older sister and brother to go for one. Everyone should have one at age 50 anyway, but with family history, they suggest 45 or even some suggest as young as 40. If you've already had them in the past, you know they're really not a big deal, so bite the bullet and do it!

    Anne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited February 2010

    I have to get them..one coming up soon LOL. After I had the first 2 it wasnt so bad. Its a necessary thing. My first one found 2 precancerous polyps. Hugs

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited February 2010

    Oh, Jane, I hear you!  I don't have a strong family hx of colon cancer, and my PCP never mentioned that I ought to have one ... so I quietly ignored all the glaring headlines about starting colon-cancer screening when we're 50.

    ... Until my PCP started to turn the screws.  Right in the middle of my adventures with chemo, he asked me if I'd had a colonoscopy.  I said "no".  He asked if I'd ever had "bleeding", and I said yes, occasionally, from what I was certain were hemorrhoids.  "Good!", he said (as if hemorrhoids could be good??) -- "That means your insurance will cover the colonoscopy!  I'll have our receptionist schedule one for you."

    Wait.  WAIT!!!  I'm right in the middle of chemo, I pointed out.  Couldn't we at least wait until this nasty business is finished and my mucous membranes have healed up?

    Anyway, i did have my first-ever colonoscopy at the age of 56, 5 months after finishing chemo.  I was lucky in so many ways...  They gave me very good drugs, so I don't recall waking up mid-procedure, there was absolutely no pain or "discomfort", and all they found were ... hemorrhoids.  The prep was really nasty -- I threw up 20 minutes after taking the 2nd dose of the stuff.  But, I've read that they don't even use that prep (phospho-soda) anymore, because of the risk it poses to our kidneys if we can't chug (and keep down) enough water before, during, and after.

    So, 15 months later, my recollection was that I was comfortably woozy-headed as my dh escorted me to the car afterward, and I slept the rest of that day.  Like I said, though, I'm lucky -- I won't need another one for 8-1/2 more years.  If I had risk factors, or if they'd found anything suspicious, I'd be back on the calendar again. 

    You've got to do this.  A PET scan and tumor markers are not going to detect those little nubbins that can end up becoming colon cancer.  And, you don't want to have colon cancer, right?  A colonoscopy is way easier to tolerate than what they'll do if you end up with colon cancer (as you know).

    Hugs, though... It just seems like this stuff never ends.

    otter 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited February 2010

    I don't want to have a colonoscopy in the WORST way.

    BC puts us at higher risk for colon ca.

    My aunt died of colon ca.

    My colonoscopy is scheduled for March 15.

    The only good thing is that, when I went to schedule, they had a big sign saying you needed someone to take you home afterwards due to the sedating drugs used.

    BRING ON THE SEDATING DRUGS!!!!!!!!!!

    I will get through this I will get through this I will get through this I will get through this I will get through this I will get through this I will get through this I will get through this I will get through this

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2010

    Well, I'm joining the rant here. Hate the process but need another one. My blood iron is so low that I have to take prescription iron pills. I was on multivitamins for years! Lot of good that did. Now the doc is wondering if I'm bleeding in my colon or somewhere else. it's not the process that's bad, it's the drugs for prepping! Yell I actually wrote a blog about the whole thing and let people who were going through the process have a preview. Wish I'd been warned...sigh. Just waiting for the appointment time now.

    The first thing I wanted was a bacon-cheese-burger!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited February 2010

    My colonoscopy Dr. said because of b.c. I'm at a higher risk.  But now I can't remember how often he said.  Every 5 years?  I really did not mind the prep so much.  Re re edit to delete my personal experience which has nothing to do with your question.

    Oh dear, edit to add.....Yes, get a colonoscopy.

    Re edit to add.....despite any stories of discomfort.  BOOK AN APPT.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2010

    Sharon, were'nt you put out? I remember they did a scope down my throat too as I had stomach surgery when I was born and they started to intubate me while I was still too awake and I was choking! Horrid experience. They quickly put me out.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited February 2010

    Janis

    You need to have a colonoscopy...  the prep is AWFUL, but the test is easy... piece of cake...

    After having breast cancer, we are at increased risk for colon cancer...

    HUGS 

    Harley

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited February 2010

    Barbe

    They put me to sleep but other drs. don't... they just give you drugs to put you in a twilight kind of sleep..... so you are still awake...  my dr. put me OUT...

    HARLEY

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2010

    That's what I had JO, they will put you out because your gag reflex wouldn't allow it to go down.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2010

    I found the colonosopy to be a piece of cake. I had one two years ago after I was done with treatment (yes, every 5 years according to my doctor). I was suprised that the prep was not that bad (I had a procedure done a number of years before when the prep WAS awful). My DH just had one a week ago, and now the prep is even easier. He had no cramps or discomfort at all, just went to the bathroom a couple extra times. So it's not bad; and as you really, really do not want to get colon cancer, it is well worth any hassle. Good Luck! Ruth

    ="post_sig">"Invisible threads are the strongest ties." Friedrich NietzscheDiagnosis: 2/2007, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/11 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited February 2010

    Jane, I think you know the answer to that question! Smile

    My mom died of colon cancer after surving breast cancer for 20 years. So you can bet that I get a scope every 5 years. I have to look at the prep day as just one day out of my life, to ensure life.

    A PET scan may not show an early colon cancer. Some cancers are flat against the colon wall. Some are imbedded in tiny, benign appearing polyps. You need the trained eye of a GI doc. Or, you perhaps could do the virtual colonoscopy, where you swallow the tiny camera and it passes through your body. But that still requires the prep, and if there's an abnormality, you'll need to prep all over again for the scope/biopsy procedure.

    You can get through this. A piece of cake compared to what you've already gone through!

    Anne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • arnie2two
    arnie2two Member Posts: 1,215
    edited February 2010

    I had my last one between chemo and rads in October....  My dad died of colon cancer and his onocologist told all of kids to take atleast 400 mcg of Folic Acid daily.  I have too, every since 1998!  I figure just like my bc if they catch something early you have a fighting chance!!!  Let us know what you have decided Jane.... (((((((((((hugs))))))))))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited February 2010

    Jane,

    Sorry, I mistyped your name...  

    ((HUGS))

    Please go get your colonoscopy... it really is not bad...

    Harley

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited February 2010

    When I went to my doctor last fall for my phys he said that since I was close to that certain age, I needed to consider getting one done. Haven't been back to see him or had it done it yet Undecided. I see him again next week, I will see what he says this time, I have no problems to indicate anything is wrong.

    Sheila

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited February 2010

    As I've already had 2, I know what to expect.  I just thought I might be able to justify having one less test.  So, I guess I'll mention it to my PCP at my next apt.  I'm sure he'll refer me to the gastroenterologist who did my last 2 and told me I needed another one 6 years ago.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PiscesMoon
    PiscesMoon Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2010

    the prep part is the worst.  i have moviprep.  sort of bad tasting but if you chill it and drink it with a straw there's no problem.  they biopsied a couple of areas but they were b9.  i was completely asleep and don't remember a thing.  GI doc wants me back in two years.  i have a grandmother who died of colon cancer but i don't know if my bio mother gets screened for it or not.  i'll have to ask her.

    ~M

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • susan_CNY
    susan_CNY Member Posts: 276
    edited February 2010

    please do go for the colonoscopy, my breast cancer was dx a year after surgery and chemo for stage 2 colon cancer, you really are at risk, better safe than sorry

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited February 2010

    I had both an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy done one right after the other without any meds...believe I did the second time around...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2010
    Lisa! How did you swallow that huge scope??? Surprised
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited February 2010

    OK I am dreading even asking, since I have not had one.  What is the "prep" you are all saying is awful? What do they do to you?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2010

    They clean your intestines out for 3 days!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited February 2010

    With what?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2010

    Think Drano....but approved by the FDA.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited February 2010

    LOL Now I am motivated! HA HA HA

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited February 2010

    OK, I just got the prep instructions. 3 days before - very low-fiber diet, no fat, simple carbs. That's for 2 days. Then, for 24 hours before, only liquids (no milk). The evening before, drink the Drano and get miserable diarrhea - my family will not be permitted to use the bathroom (we have only one so I might suggest my kids have sleepovers that night). Next AM, only water and then a Fleet enema a few hours before. I have no idea how to use it, nor do I know how I'll manage the ride to the hospital.

    I expect all of you to hold my hand through this since I will be whining about it between now and my appt (in 3 weeks).

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2z54
    2z54 Member Posts: 261
    edited February 2010

    This may really sound stupid, but when I was dx with bc, I had never had a colonoscopy although at 54, it was time.  After the chemo and surgery were over, I figured I had a "window" of opportunity (i.e. had just had chemo!) to get a clean colonoscopy and Pap smear, so I scheduled those appointments without any of my doctors reminding or nagging me.  And, it worked out thank G-d. I don't think I would have been able to face another dx.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • desdemona222b
    desdemona222b Member Posts: 776
    edited February 2010

    I have a friend at church who got extremely ill with what they at first thought was a bad gall bladder, then they found cancer in her liver.   After further tests, they found a tumor in her colon.  When they performed surgery on her last week, they just closed her up and told her there was nothing they could do and to make her final arrangements. 

    I am more than happy to get a colonoscope any old time.  It really isn't a big deal anyway. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories