How ofter do you get a colonoscopy?

I'm age 66 and I've never had a colonoscopy. I checked the Canadian guidelines before seeing my pcp this week and found  the recommendations here are the same as those lisa-e mentioned. Some cancers (stomach, ovarian are two I remember) increase risk of colon cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer do not.

My gyn called breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer buddies.  But really, I haven't found any stats to indicate that is true.  Absent genetic factors, I understand that my chance of getting colon or ovarian cancer are only slightly higher than the average woman.    My mother died of lung cancer; I don't think that increased my risk of getting bc.

 Susan,  I hope there will be genetic testing for your children. 

I had a colonoscopy and was told after it by the gastro doc to have one every 5 years, not because of my bc but because of my aunt's colon cancer. BTW I'm 59.

Leah

Never!

I'm 58 and it's been suggested by docs  many times over the last five years to partake in one.  I just don't have the courage

5 years. It's really easy. They give you this nice drug, and you're out quickly, the it's all over.

My sister didn't have a colonoscopy and her colon cancer could have been avoided if they got it at the polyp stage. It was only discovered because she got so anemic they thought she had to be losing blood internally. Her gyn was the one that thought to test her blood for anemia.

I was 59 at dx, showed a slight positive for hidden blood in my stool so had one about 6 mos. after diagnosis.  It was completely clean.  No polyps or any bleeding.  Was told I didn't have to do another. 

Now you have me thinking I should ck on that.  and I will.  It is the most simple thing I've had done since dx, and that includes 2 recons, back surgery and hip replacements, not to mention a scare on the good boob.

Hi, may I suggest daily stool softner?  I took a double dose until I got better.  But still every day.  They are over the counter and non habit forming like laxitive can become.

Another TMI: fill a Fleet's enema container with mineral oil and warm it.  It helps "grease the skids".  I also use glycerin suppos. for the same reason, when necessary.

Mantra,

Before you go getting body parts all cut out, please read Dr. Patrick Quillin's Beating Cancer With Nutrition.  He is former president of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  It isn't just about food, but building a strong immune system which is supposed to track down cancer cells and destroy them.  If I recall, Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book also warns about  medically unnecessary surgeries giving a false sense of security.  I would hate to have a surgery only to find it wasn't needed and my cancer still returned.

You aren't going to discover a polyp without a colonoscopy. By the time colon cancer presents symptoms, you are already in deep trouble, 'cause it will have spread. Did anyone watch Dr. Oz, who had a colonoscopy as part of his show to remind people of the importance of screening? He was shocked when they actually discovered (and removed) a polyp. He said if he would have waited 5 more years, he would have been dead. He was pretty shaken up by it. He said that you preach these things to patients but never think they will happen to you.

I am in my 60s and have never had one, because I have a long history of a bad reaction to all kinds of anesthesia or sedation (I have vaso-vagal syncope which makes meds like epinephrine or OTC non-drowsy cold/allergy meds a trigger for me, and on the opposite end of the meds spectrum I have had the same nasty reaction even to common stuff like Benadryl). Anything that acts on the SNS (sympathetic nervous system) is a risk for me.

I am, however, considering having a virtual colonoscopy sometime next year after I am all done with my year of chemo. I will still have the prep to contend with (which should be a real joy considering that my stomach is extremely touchy and reacts to every little thing, from many foods to just plain ol' stress!) but at least no sedation is required for those. Better a VC than nothing, I suppose.