laxmom3 wrote:One question I have for you all- my GI doctor said that since my colonoscopy was clear, no sign of cancer, and no polyps, etc. I didn't need to have another one for 3 years- is that normal? I was told it was, though I still feel uneasy about it. I was told a yearly CT scan was enough.
The guidelines for followup surveillance of colorectal cancer patients are on on this website: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summar ... 3&nbr=4896
In terms of colonoscopies, the guidelines state: "All patients with colon and rectal cancer should have a colonoscopy for the pre- or perioperative documentation of a cancer- and polyp-free colon. After the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer, the Panel recommends the surveillance guideline presented by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA): a colonoscopy at 3 years and, if normal, every 5 years thereafter. For colorectal cancer patients with high-risk genetic syndromes, the physician should consider the guideline published by the AGA (available at http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/PI ... 1/fulltext)."