What age should you have a colonoscopy if CC in the family?

[Lilly]

Hi all,

I'm sorry for coming here and disturbing you all but I am hoping you might be able to help me. My dad and his sister both had colon cancer. Neither had obvious symptoms which is terrifying. My dads oncologist and surgeon told him as soon
as he got diagnosed to tell his children to get colonoscopies earlier than the 'normal' age. What is the 'normal 'age? And what age should I have it done? 30? 40?

I had bright red blood in my stool about three years ago which I presumed would be haemoroids (as I had no other symptoms) but went to a doctor anyways to put my mind at rest. He told me I had haemoroids and took a stool sample. The results were normal. I never had a colonscopy or blood taken.

Because of everything I have been through with my dad and aunt plus reading google, I am worried that I should have or should go for a colonoscopy now? (I forgot to mention that I am 28) I feel a bit silly asking for one but am paranoid. I don't want to worry my mum with this and my friends won't understand.

Thanks in advance.

[justin case]

If you feel it is a good question to ask, perhaps your mind would be more at ease if you had the procedure. On a regular basis, people with a genetic relationship have the procedure as a precautionary measure. As for your friends, they really don't need to know, do they?
Michael

[chixter]

If you have a family history, I suggest you push the envelope for early screening. There is NO family history from either my wife's side or mine of CC. My daughter was asymptomatic save the cramping abdominal pain that persisted for 2 days. An ER visit and CT scan later, she has CC stage 4. She is 25. I don't wish to scare you but my opinion given your history would be as early as you can get screened. If only for peace of mind. There are many here on this forum under age 40. Some with history, some without.

[robinkaye]

I don't disagree with Chixter especially if you have had any symptoms. However, the standard time for testing if one of
your parents had CC is to be tested ten years earlier than the parents age at diagnosis or fifty whichever comes sooner.
Might not be the right way to go but it is the standard for testing.

[exaussie]

According to the 3 cancer hospitals we have been to the rule of thumb is 10 years before relative was diagnosed. My son was 25 so my 15 yr old daughter had her colonoscopy
If you are concerned now then get it done so you can rest easy

Good luck

[justin case]

I don't disagree with Chixter especially if you have had any symptoms. However, the standard time for testing if one of
your parents had CC is to be tested ten years earlier than the parents age at diagnosis or fifty whichever comes sooner.
Might not be the right way to go but it is the standard for testing.

OK, if you were my daughter, I would ask you to get it done. Having cancer is not as easily explained,( as being a caregiver to a spouse), although I guarantee you, Chixter lives his daughter's pain on a minute to minute basis, and I would go with his recommendation.
Regards,
Michael

[orcasres]

I was diagnosed at age 57; my GI wants my sons first screened at age 40. But there are a number of folks on this board who have been diagnosed in their 20's and 30's, so with your history, you should be scheduling a screening. Sometimes at a younger age, you will get resistance, but keep looking for a GI who will do the procedure.

Lois

[shade]

My doc told me the same thing as exaussie- 10 yrs before the first degree relative (me, for my sons and sisters) was diagnosed. My sister are have been tested. I'm telling my son to get tested at age 40, or if they have blood in their stool prior to that age.

[klee81]

I'm surprised given your family history that your doc didn't refer your to a GI to get screened. I had hemorrhoids, but I also had rectal cancer, I am 33 years old. My tumor was really low and close to the anal verge, my doc did a finger check, didn't feel it but felt the hemorrhoids....my CEA blood test was totally normal...so with that said , If anything like everyone else says you get piece of mind, or you may have polyps that aren't cancerous at all yet and get those removed. Just do it:) Get screened

[janklo]

My daughter was diagnosed at age 25, no family history I was aware of. Then I found out my 45 year old cousin had cc. All of us, including my then 21 year old daughter, all have had colonoscopies and we repeated after 3 years. Nothing found except one teeny benign polyp in my husband. But I'd definitely get one if I were you, for peace of mind. And under many insurance plans (including mine) it was 100% paid for due to the healthcare law.

[NWgirl]

My father died of colon cancer at the age of 67 - I honestly don't know when he was diagnosed. I was diagnosed stage 3c (which has since spread to my lungs) at the age of 43. In retrospect, I had subtle symptoms years earlier but I never thought it was enough to warrant a discussion with a doctor. As early as 6 months before diagnosis I did discuss my concerns with a doctor and they were dismissed. Six months later my cancer was found. Point being - the 10 years before your parent was diagnosed or age 50 did me no good at all.

If you are having ANY symptoms, please push for a scope NOW. Even subtle symptoms need to be taken very seriously. If it's nothing - GREAT! Then you'll have a baseline colonoscopy in your medical files. Nothing wrong with that.

I WISH I had been scoped at 35 or 40 at the very latest. Maybe then I'd be looking forward to my daughters 8th grade graduation instead of thinking about how to plan my own funeral.

[JDinNC]

When I was diagnose last year...both my primary and oncologist said to be sure my son got one when he turns 40. My son discuss my situation with his doctor and he agreed at age 40

[manders]

I have also heard the 10 years prior to my age at diagnosis. I was 34 when I was diagnosed, so that would mean my son would be screened at 24. But I have already told my husband that I think my son should be screened when he finishes high school - even if we have to pay for it out of pocket. I guess we'll see what my son thinks of that idea. And of course, earlier, if he has any symptoms or concerns.

I found out after my diagnosis that since my father had polyps removed at his 50 years old colonoscopy that I should have been screened at 40. Obviously, waiting until 40 wouldn't have been a good idea in my case.

If you are concerned/worried I would encourage you to get screened.

[Lilly]

Thank you all for taking the time to read and reply to my post. What I wrote makes me look really stupid because given my family history, I guess it's a no brainer. It has been playing on my mind since my dads diagnosis but coming here, writing it down and reading your replies has convinced me to actually go and sooner than I would have - thank you all.

I'm moving to NYC from London in September and will organise one then- I just hope they don't tell me I'm too young.

I'm sorry you all have to be here and I really do wish you all the best on your journeys (I know how much of a roller coaster a cancer journey can be due to my dad)

Thanks again

[singingholly]

I wouln't take the risk: do colonscopy at twenty and you'll be fine!
Holly