Aware, cautious, yes...worried, no. In other words, coming here was a good, proactive thing to do. Though number & type of polyps do matter in the risk classification, Bottom Line: How old was your mother @ diagnosis?
My first colonoscopy @ age 50 showed precancerous, inflamed polyp + others. I was symptomatic. 2nd colonoscopy 6 years later had polyps (was supposed to be 5 years). Third colonoscopy 3 years later was clear. Fourth & most recent colonoscopy on Sept 11 had two small polyps (6 years later, supposed to be 5 years once again). Instructions to come back in 5 years.
My understanding from my gastro doc in 2013 because I asked regarding my sons & stepsons: For a diagnosis of colon cancer in a parent age 50 or less, the general recommendation is minus 12 years from age of parent's diagnosis.
For me it is the age of my mother @ the time she was diagnosed w/colon cancer which was 86. So standard guidelines would apply to me, which would be age 50... & none too soon, obviously w/a precancerous polyp.
Because of ME w/precancerous polyp @ age 50, my sons should get colonoscopy @ age 38.
My husband clean colonoscopy @ age 40, St IV colon cancer age 47.
My stepsons should get scoped around 35. Unfortunately one of my stepsons was diagnosed & passed away @ age 35 of colon cancer.
Due to his father's dx under age 50, but mostly because of his brother's dx & passing, other stepson got scoped early, age 33, polyps, diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome. Another colonoscopy 6 months later, then annually thereafter.
However the standard has been changed to age 45 for screening, not necessarily a colonoscopy. If you have had radiation to the pelvic area due to prostate cancer, they recommend 5 years in the link below. But again, depends on an individuals total risk factors. It's a rather "loose" guideline in my opinion from American Cancer Society:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rec ... tions.html You are young for prostate cancer & it is considered one of many possible Lynch cancers (does NOT mean you have Lynch Syndrome). This is a good link on Lynch Syndrome (reader friendly):
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/d ... ome--hnpccCheck with your insurance for genetic counselors & testing covered in your plan, whether you need a referral from family doctor or GI doc or your oncologist who is treating you for your prostate cancer. That's where I would start & go from there.
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Best Wishes
BS