The Colon Club

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/30/health/c ... index.html

At 45 I told my doctor a few times about my chronic constipation, she suggested fiber and prune juice. Had she recommended a colonoscopy I would not have ended up with stage 4 cancer. Oh, well, I hope people heed this new advice, it’ll save lives and spare many of a lot stress and pain.

This is good news! When I was diagnosed, the GI doc said it was only a matter of time before they dropped the recommend age to 40 due to an increase of people being diagnosed in their 40's. 45 is a start in the right direction.

Lee

this is for sure a step in the right direction. Had only my wife been scoped two years earlier when we first noticed issues and got told hemorrhoids, IBS, Celiac, etc. maybe she would have not been stage four.

Definitely a step in the right direction, but needs to be 30 or 35. What would really help is educating the doctors that it’s ok to send someone in their 20’s or 30’s to get a colonoscopy. I’ve read countless stories exactly like mine where we go to the doctor describing our symptoms and the doctor puts it off as something else because we are “too young” to have colon cancer. I was finally diagnosed at 36 but had symptoms for around 10 years prior to that and was always told it was ibs.

Tdubz wrote:Definitely a step in the right direction, but needs to be 30 or 35. What would really help is educating the doctors that it’s ok to send someone in their 20’s or 30’s to get a colonoscopy. I’ve read countless stories exactly like mine where we go to the doctor describing our symptoms and the doctor puts it off as something else because we are “too young” to have colon cancer. I was finally diagnosed at 36 but had symptoms for around 10 years prior to that and was always told it was ibs.

Totally agree with you Tdubz. I started experiencing bleeding at around 29. "Too young" or "Most likely hemorrhoids or fissure" were the statements I received from multiple GI Docs, until at 44 I finally demanded a scope. Bleeding should automatically trigger a scope in my opinion regardless of age.

Tdubz wrote:Definitely a step in the right direction, but needs to be 30 or 35. What would really help is educating the doctors that it’s ok to send someone in their 20’s or 30’s to get a colonoscopy. I’ve read countless stories exactly like mine where we go to the doctor describing our symptoms and the doctor puts it off as something else because we are “too young” to have colon cancer. I was finally diagnosed at 36 but had symptoms for around 10 years prior to that and was always told it was ibs.

Yep, add me to the list. So frustrating to think about.

Spent two years fighting doctors, really wish they would have checked me sooner. I’m so glad it’s changing and my kids can get checked sooner.

I had the same experience. Spent almost a year experiencing bleeding while I was treated for internal hemorrhoids and told I didn't need a colonoscopy by one GI doc. Finally his partner in the practice agreed to do it. So glad for this new recommendation.

radnyc wrote:https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/30/health/colon-rectal-cancer-screening-guidelines-study/index.html

At 45 I told my doctor a few times about my chronic constipation, she suggested fiber and prune juice. Had she recommended a colonoscopy I would not have ended up with stage 4 cancer. Oh, well, I hope people heed this new advice, it’ll save lives and spare many of a lot stress and pain.

AI -

Thanks for posting this, and thanks for sharing your personal reflections.

BTW, do you know anyone in NYC who attended the recent EAO-CRC summit conference there? Do you have any information on any published conference proceedings or podcasts of conference sessions?

Tdubz wrote:Definitely a step in the right direction, but needs to be 30 or 35. What would really help is educating the doctors that it’s ok to send someone in their 20’s or 30’s to get a colonoscopy. I’ve read countless stories exactly like mine where we go to the doctor describing our symptoms and the doctor puts it off as something else because we are “too young” to have colon cancer. I was finally diagnosed at 36 but had symptoms for around 10 years prior to that and was always told it was ibs.

I was lucky—the doctor I saw at urgent care told me to get a colonoscopy ‘just to be sure’ and gave a list of GIs. She even called me a day later to make sure I was getting follow up. My other doctors have admitted they’d likely have assumed hemerroids. This change is a good start but it really should be the standard for anyone with GI bleeding.

Tdubz wrote:Definitely a step in the right direction, but needs to be 30 or 35. What would really help is educating the doctors that it’s ok to send someone in their 20’s or 30’s to get a colonoscopy. I’ve read countless stories exactly like mine where we go to the doctor describing our symptoms and the doctor puts it off as something else because we are “too young” to have colon cancer. I was finally diagnosed at 36 but had symptoms for around 10 years prior to that and was always told it was ibs.

Totally my story here!!!! I got ALL the tests done EXCEPT colonoscopy... Even MRI (without covering the colon part coz it was unlikely I would have anything wrong with my colon at my age).

horizon wrote:

Tdubz wrote:Definitely a step in the right direction, but needs to be 30 or 35. What would really help is educating the doctors that it’s ok to send someone in their 20’s or 30’s to get a colonoscopy. I’ve read countless stories exactly like mine where we go to the doctor describing our symptoms and the doctor puts it off as something else because we are “too young” to have colon cancer. I was finally diagnosed at 36 but had symptoms for around 10 years prior to that and was always told it was ibs.

Yep, add me to the list. So frustrating to think about.

Yeah Everytime I think about it, it got me really frustrated. People say the should haves would haves whatever, but no! Colonoscopy is really life-saving as early stage colon cancer and stage 4 is a world of difference!!!

Definitely step in the right direction.
Agree with posters that it should be in 30s.
I think reason could be increased sedentary lifestyle due to gadgets alongwith western diet.

My story is different even know my GI said its probably hemorrhoids at 38, he still said lets do a colonoscopy. Guess it varies with Doctor's office. I think the age should be 30. A lot of people don't believe in colonoscopies though. Especially people from other countries, like South America, etc...

Thanks so much for sharing this article! I'm 40 and just had my first colonoscopy last month....I met with a GI doc and told him about my change in bowel habits....I kind of figured it was stress related, but after my husband's diagnosis I just had to get checked....the GI told me that he believes anyone 40 or over with a change in bowel habits should have a scope...I'm glad I went to him....my husband's GI (former...we fired him) pushed it off for months and made him think that he had IBS....I'm sharing this article with anyone who will listen!
-jep