Family history

[LiaVoiles]

Hello,

Hello everyone my name is Lia and I'm new here.

I just want to share my story and maybe get some input on things I have questions about as I'm new on this and I don't have many people to talk about it.

On Feb 14th of this year, just 2 weeks before his 61th birthday, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 3b. On Feb 23rd he had a laparoscopic surgery done and his tumor located in the transverse descending part of his colon was removed. He had 1 out 24 lymph nodes metastasized and initiated adjuvant chemotherapy on April 10th. He is on mFOLFOX6 every 14 days. He has done 7 out 12 rounds of chemo and he is doing well overall. He is very debilitated, he hates the chemo, got a lot of side effects but he has been a champ. Seeing my dad being so brave when I know how much he dislikes doctors and needles has being an inspiration for me.

This has been one of the most difficult things I have been through in my life. Seeing my dad go through this is heartbreaking and I have been not only extremely worried about my dad and his future but also about myself. My younger brother suffers from severe Chron's disease and although I don't have any issues I can't help but wonder if intestinal issues is something in my family's DNA and I should worry about it myself. Other than my brother and my dad I'm not aware of any other cases of Chron's or colon cancer in my family.

Because I was worried about my family history and thinking that this could be a risk factor for me I went for the first time to a GI doctor last month and asked for a Colonoscopy. The doctor didn't ask many questions and easily agreed with my request. The problem is that later I found out that because of my age (I'm 38 years old) my health insurance will not pay for my colonoscopy. They consider it to be a diagnostic procedure and not preventive. This will cost me $400 dollars in copay which is ok with me as I think this is not expensive if really needed but what I am trying to figure out is if I really need this procedure done as I don't have any kind of symptom. I have to confess that I am also scared of the procedure and although I know that at some point in my life I will have to get it done (sooner than later) I'm just wondering if I can wait a few years until the recommended age of 45. I am very confused and worried and I know people here are not doctors but any input will be appreciated. Thank you.

[martd]

The 45 year age is for people at average risk, with you having an immediate family member with colon cancer that puts you at high risk and lowers the age. I would say do it, not only being high risk but more and more younger people are being diagnosed with colon cancer.


The procedure is a piece of cake anyway, you go to sleep wake up and it's done. Good luck to you, and I wish the best for your dad. Sounds like he's a tough guy and tolerating treatment well, that's a big plus.

[Punky44]

I had the same fears as you when my 68 year old mother got diagnosed so within a month of her diagnosis, I was in the same office requesting a colonoscopy despite only being 34. It was honestly so easy and gave me a ton of peace of mind when everything came back clear. (I had experienced occasional rectal bleeding for like, over a decade, most likely from fissures or hemmroids but I wouldn’t be able to just write that off after my mom’s diagnosis). So yeah, I am sooo glad I did it and now I am told to do it every 5 years. I legit am thinking about calling to see if I can even do it sooner than 5 years.

[GreenLakeGirl]

There is a guideline to be scoped ten years before the age at which your parent was diagnosed, but this applies to families in which the parent was younger than 55. The thinking is that many colorectal cancers that are diagnosed later in life are generally slow growing and need about ten years before being visible. Did your dad's doctor do any genetic testing on the tumor, and do you know any of the results?

Yes, your dad's cancer is a risk factor for you, but it's not the sole determinant in your gut health. I think it comes down to your own level of comfort, because you are right in that a colonoscopy does have its own risks. If you don't have any symptoms and you are generally feeling fine, I don't know that you need to rush into a colonoscopy. If you are feeling anxious and the $400 copay is not a burden, you might have it done to check it off your mental list. You sounds like you are in tune with your body, so as you get closer to 45 and/or see a change in your bathroom habits or in your energy levels, you know to see a doctor and get the colonoscopy.

[LiaVoiles]

Just wanted to give an update here that yesterday I finally did get my colonoscopy done and everything went ok. I was terrified about the procedure and now I can say it wasn't as bad as I thought. I wasn't going to have peace of mind until I had it done. I got the results yesterday and everything is ok. I also got an endoscopy done and the doctor found some minor issues with my stomach but nothing serious.
My dad finished his chemo last last September and has been NED since then. He will have another colonoscopy done soon. The first colonoscopy he ever had, on February 2019, was the one that detected his tumor and at that time the camera couldn't pass his ascending colon. Although all my dad's scans came back clear he is overdue for a colonoscopy. Thanks for everyone's help here.

[Koreysue]

I would DEFINITELY do it.
Also pursue your dad (or you and your siblings) getting genetic testing done.
They found no specific genetic link in my family, like lynch syndrome, but feel that there must be some link because we have a lot of cancers in the family. . I was 39 at diagnosis.
My children are recommended to have colonoscopies at 29 because of my colon cancer.
My grandma had colon cancer as well.
At the very least, it will put your mind at ease.
Ksue

[Koreysue]

Just wanted to give an update here that yesterday I finally did get my colonoscopy done and everything went ok. I was terrified about the procedure and now I can say it wasn't as bad as I thought. I wasn't going to have peace of mind until I had it done. I got the results yesterday and everything is ok. I also got an endoscopy done and the doctor found some minor issues with my stomach but nothing serious.
My dad finished his chemo last last September and has been NED since then. He will have another colonoscopy done soon. The first colonoscopy he ever had, on February 2019, was the one that detected his tumor and at that time the camera couldn't pass his ascending colon. Although all my dad's scans came back clear he is overdue for a colonoscopy. Thanks for everyone's help here.

Oh sorry- should have read further down