xpost---colonoscopy--frequency change?

I'm age 67 and I've never had a screening colonoscopy. In my province in Canada screening colonoscopies are only suggested for those with risk factors for getting colon cancer. I don't have any. Apparently, according to the screening protocol on the government website for this province oncological events such as breast cancer don't count as a change in risk. Perhaps ovarian cancer might, I'll have to recheck.

Anyway after reading about women on BCO getting colonoscopies because of a BC dx I did a search and couldn't find any evidence of a link between the two cancers, which explains the screening practice here in British Columbia. Routine PSA testing for men to check for prostate cancer is not standard in this province either, men who want one have to pay out of pocket to have one.

At my last physical my doctor did do a digital examination however.

Kathy

I had a colonoscopy after my dx at age 50 and was told I wouldn't need another one until I was 60. I think you would need more frequent coloscopies if you were positive for any gene mutations. At least that is what my ONC told me when I had the genetic testing. Not sure if is needed more frequently if you are at a later stage or not.

I agree, the prep is horrible!!! Here's hoping there is no need for more!! 

I had my first colonoscopy when I turned 50. A non-cancerous polyp was found and removed. Because of that polyp and my history of breast cancer, I have to go back for the next one 2 years after the first one. If I had not had a polyp, it would have been 5 years because of my breast cancer history.

Mary 

I had a colonoscopy at 48, before BC. A benign polyp was removed and I was advised to have another one in three years due to the polyp.

I had my first colonoscopy almost four years ago. Because I had two pre-cancers I was told to get another one in five years. I probably should call the doctor to see if she wants me to have one this year - she doesn't know about my breast cancer last year.

Was told by both my PCP and Oncologist that I should now have them every 5 years.

I'm on the 10year plan. Family history of colon CA, not breast CA. 1st colonoscopy at age 32, benign polyp removed. My last colonoscopy was 3 years ago, so I will probably revisit this issue in a couple of years. Thanks for the heads up. I might be the only one, but I'd rather have a colonoscopy than a breast biopsy. (good thing I had a BMX)

I get a colonoscopy every year.  At age 39, I had a symptomatic polyp and my first colonoscopy.  I did not even know I had to get on a regular schedule because the benign polyp was the kind that will become cancer if not removed. My sister had endometrial cancer and my brother lost a kidney to cancer; Lynch syndrome was confirmed in her case.  

Every year they remove a few polyps, some the normal kind and some the bad but benign-so-far kind.

I was told by a surgical oncologist at Moffitt when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer that it would be hard not to hypothesize a relationship between my cancer and my siblings' cancers, and theirs have distinct connections to increased colon cancer risk.

Sigh.  Whatever.  At least the prep is easier than it used to be. 

Warmly,

Cathy