frequency of colonoscopies?

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meg970
meg970 Member Posts: 14
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

I just had my first screening colonoscopy this morning, and all was fine with it.  I was surprised that the GI said I needed another one in three years based on the breast cancer diagnosis.  Has anyone else been told this?

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited January 2011

    Yes .. I have to have them every three years because of breast cancer, and also a history of colon cancer in my family.

    Bren

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited January 2011

    I had a colonoscopy after I turned 50 in 2009.  They said see you in ten years, but that was before BC diagnosis.  No one has said anything different yet.

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2011

    It's been three years since my diagnosis & the first thing that my oncologist asked me at my last visit was if I'd had a colonoscopy.  WTH, if it's so important why hadn't he asked that before? I found this very annoying.... NJ 

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited January 2011

    I was told 5 years. The doc didn't give me any reason, and I just wanted out of there so I didn't question him.  It didn't even dawn on me till later that he said 5 years instead of 10.  Boy am I  glad I don't have to go through it again in 3!  I don't know why different docs say different things, but it seems like it happens a lot--not just about colonoscopies.

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited January 2011

    I had mine in Dec. and he said 'come back in 10 yrs".  Found nothing, no family history. My GP knows about BC and he agreed 10 yrs. I'll ask oncologist when I go in June.

    Jan

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    My maternal grandmother died of colon ca and my own mom has had colon ca twice (as well as bc) and they only have me coming back every 5 years. I asked GI doc and other docs about it, and they said it was based on my family history of colon ca, not the breast ca. (without any colon ca in the family history and provided no polyps found, it would be every 10 years)

    anne

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited January 2011

    I will have my first soon. My understanding is if there is history it's every 5 years otherwise every 10. My maternal grandmother died of colon cancer so between that and the breast cancer diagnosis I won't be surprised if its every 5.

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited January 2011

    I had my first one this past October. They removed a fairly large polyp (benign, thank goodness). That polyp and the fact that I have a history of breast cancer, gets me a call back in 2 years. If I hadn't had a polyp, it would have been 5 years.

    Mary 

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited January 2011

    I have  family history - my aunt died of colon ca - so I was told 5 years. I don't know if the bc was part of tha recommendationt or not. My first colonsoscopy was fine, nothing found.

    Leah

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited January 2011

    My mom had breast cancer AND colon cancer. My dad had colon cancer. I get screened every five years.

    I wasn't aware that there was a direct link between the two. I know lobular BC can spread via the intestinal lining. But is there hard proof yet that having had BC puts one at a higher risk for CC? I guess I need to do some researching...

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited January 2011

    My doctor said every 5 years.

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  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 692
    edited February 2011

    I have both cc and bc. A few years back they thought there was a correlation between the 2, but studies have shown that there is no relation between the 2.  I think I was told by the geneticist that with one of the BRCA genes there might be more risk of cc, but I'm not sure about that.  I was tested for both cancers, and don't have a gene for either one.  Once a person has one cancer, however, you are at higher risk for another cancer.

    Colon cancer is generally slow growing, so 5 or 10 years is not unreasonable.  The important thing is that you get your colonoscopy at 50, if you have no bowel problems, or EARLIER if you have ANY changes in bowel habits.  Blood, mucus, frequency, narrow stools, etc.  I was 44 when dx, thank God my gp recommended a colonoscopy, I was already stage 3b.  Many docs don't--you have to push for it.  And that concludes my public service announcement....Wink

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011
    I had my second one just last year. He said to see him in 5 years. I'll do that. I've had 2 surgeries that have involved my bowels, so we watch, and we wait.....sigh.
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  • sflow
    sflow Member Posts: 297
    edited February 2011

    I had my first screening colonoscopy about 6 yrs ago.  I am an early stage IDC survivor of 4 1/2 yrs.  Last year I was having some heart burn and was told to have another colonoscopy.  A tiny polyp was found--it was not cancerous or even pre-cancerous.  The doctor told me I have to have a colonoscopy every 3 yrs now--no family history of any kind of cancer.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2011

    my oncologist said there was no correlation between bc and colon ca. But, my old insurance company wouldn't approve BRCA testing with just  my LCIS and mom's ILC----when oncologist resubmitted it with the info on my mom's colon ca, it was suddenly approved. (so that seems to say my insurance company feels there could be a connection somewhere). Unfortunately, dh's company switched insurance carriers a few days before my appt with genetic counselor, so I have to go thru the whole approval process again with new ins company.

    anne

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited February 2011

    I had my 2nd one on 12/29...all clear as was the one 10 yrs ago.

    My doc said 'see you in 10 years'....OK i'm outta here! :)

    Jan

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  • suz3
    suz3 Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2011

    I was diagnosed with bc on Nov.1.  I saw my breast surgeon 2 weeks later, because of history of colon cancer in my family and some bowl problems they sent to have a colonoscopy.  I had one 8 years ago and was on the 10 year plan.  The dr found 3 benign polyp (said could of turned cancerous within 2/3 years).  The drs. have now put me on a 3 year plan.  Dr says that will keep my future polyps in control, he said they usually grow back. 

    Hi Barb1958, I wish I was on a 5 year plan, I hate the prep.

     

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011

    Yep, it's the prep!

    First one was liquid prep. Almost killed me.

    Second one was pills, much easier, but didn't work as well, if you know what I mean...Embarassed

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