Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

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radnyc
Posts: 446
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2010 6:32 pm

Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby radnyc » Wed May 30, 2018 11:27 am

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.
DX Jan 2010, at age 47
Feb - colon resection - 2/17 nodes positive
April - liver mets - Stage 4
3 months Folfox chemotherapy
August '10 liver resection and HAI pump
7 months chemo FUDR HAI and Folfiri systemic
NED since August 2010
Last treatment April 2011
HAI Pump removed Dec 2015

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby Lee » Wed May 30, 2018 11:37 am

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
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

tater
Posts: 133
Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:53 pm

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby tater » Wed May 30, 2018 3:28 pm

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.
DH to 38 wife w/kids
Stage 3C DX 3/3/17 CEA 29
5-fu and radiation ended May 17, 2017
Stage 4 External iliac node July 17, 2017
FOLFOX + Avistan July 18 2017 CEA 2.3
Nov 9, 2017 Coloanal Anastomosis, Hysterectomy & External Nodes Removed W/ileostomy
Clear Margins NED
CEA 1.5 12/17, 2.1 2/18, 2.3 6/18, 1.1 9/18, 1.3 12/18, 1.8 3/19, 2.5 6/19
Clear CT and MRI on 2/5/2018, 9/18 Clear Scans
Reversal Surgery 6/26/18
Small Spot on right ureter surgery 10/30/19 adhered to artery
Dec. 2 start 12 rounds FOLFIRI

Tdubz
Posts: 152
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 11:01 am

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby Tdubz » Wed May 30, 2018 4:50 pm

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.

benben
Posts: 324
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Location: Washington State

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby benben » Wed May 30, 2018 5:50 pm

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.
----------------------
3/29/17 diagnosed CRC - 44 y/o Male
4/17/17 ULAR - Straight anastomosis - no ostomy.
Path: low grade T3n1m0 - moderate diff.
KRAS - NO, MLH1/PMS2/MSH6/MSH2 - Normal.
5/3 med port install
5/22 folfox - first treatment.
3rd treat, delayed - low ANC - reduced to 90% OXI
zarxio all treats
Treat 7 - 75% OXI
Treats 8-12 - NO OXI, Luke & 5FU
10/20/17 CT- NED
3/18 Scope - Clean
11/8 PORT OUT!
7/22 CT - NED (5 years!)

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horizon
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Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby horizon » Wed May 30, 2018 7:36 pm

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.
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 13 years NED). Is this real life?

Ksiemonsma
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2017 11:16 pm

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby Ksiemonsma » Wed May 30, 2018 7:59 pm

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.
Colon cancer 7/17 age 49
Colectomy 8/17
Stage 3C T4B N2B MO
16/27 lymph nodes
First round of FOLFOX on 9/13/17
3/7/18. 12th round and hopefully last of FOLFOX (9 with oxi)
Clear scans 6/7/18
Clear scans 10/3/18

heiders33
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Nov 04, 2017 11:08 am

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby heiders33 » Wed May 30, 2018 8:02 pm

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.
40 year-old female
May 2017: Dx rectal cancer T3N2M0
MSS, KRAS G12D
6/17: 28 days chemorad
9/17: LAR/loop ileostomy, CAPOX six rounds
3/18: reversal
9/18: liver met, resection/HAI pump, 11 rounds 5FU, 1 round FUDR
11/19 - local recurrence, brachytherapy, 3 weeks targeted radiation
12/21 - end colostomy

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O Stoma Mia
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:29 am
Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby O Stoma Mia » Thu May 31, 2018 2:00 am

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?

erins
Posts: 44
Joined: Sun May 27, 2018 12:41 pm

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby erins » Thu May 31, 2018 8:41 am

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.
38 yr old female
Rectal bleeding for 1 month—>
5/4/18 colonoscopy found mass in sigmoid colon
5/21/18 LAR
stage 2a, 0/17 lymph, clean margins
T3N0M0 G1
LVI neg, PNI neg, MSS
9/21/18 CEA 0.8
11/16/18 CEA 0.8 & CT clear
12/7/18 iron infusion
2/1/18 iron improved, CEA stable.

lovelife789
Posts: 161
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:28 am

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby lovelife789 » Thu May 31, 2018 10:00 am

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).
F/38 - Dx 8 Mar 17, CEA 189.5
Stage IV Sig. Colon, Liver mets, T3N0M1a, KRAS NRAS Wild
3/17- 6/17 - 6 x FOLFOX + Erbitux
7/17 - 1st & 2nd Liver resec
9-12/17' - 13 x FOLFOX
1-6/18 - NED
6/18 - PET SCAN showed a 0.8mm lung nodule, VATs
8/18 - 4/19 - NED
5/19 - recurrence 1 x PALN, 1x common iliac
FOLFIRI + Avastin x 12 - complete response, SBRT
12/19-5/20 - NED
5/20 - recurrence in LNs, tiny liver spots x 2, W n W due to COVID
8/20 - LNs very slightly increased, liver stable, one new liver spot

lovelife789
Posts: 161
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:28 am

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby lovelife789 » Thu May 31, 2018 10:04 am

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!!!
F/38 - Dx 8 Mar 17, CEA 189.5
Stage IV Sig. Colon, Liver mets, T3N0M1a, KRAS NRAS Wild
3/17- 6/17 - 6 x FOLFOX + Erbitux
7/17 - 1st & 2nd Liver resec
9-12/17' - 13 x FOLFOX
1-6/18 - NED
6/18 - PET SCAN showed a 0.8mm lung nodule, VATs
8/18 - 4/19 - NED
5/19 - recurrence 1 x PALN, 1x common iliac
FOLFIRI + Avastin x 12 - complete response, SBRT
12/19-5/20 - NED
5/20 - recurrence in LNs, tiny liver spots x 2, W n W due to COVID
8/20 - LNs very slightly increased, liver stable, one new liver spot

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henry123
Posts: 218
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:25 am

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby henry123 » Sun Jun 10, 2018 9:46 am

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.
46yo M msi-high Lynch +ve
5/16 lap AR 14/21 L nodes +ve
T4N2M1
7/16 Capox 9 cyc
9/16 cea 2
1/17 550
PET CT mets in lung & peri
iri+ avast fail
3/17 10577
4/17 regro fail
5/17 cea 28800
5/17 CT inc in size of mes nodes ,onset of multi nodules in liver
6/17 Opdivo start
7/17 26754
8/17 5623
9/17 497
10/17 52
CT all clear exc a nodule in Lung. liver norm
1/18 3.6
Aspirin start
6/18 1.5 CT clear
12/18 1.1 NED
1/20 NED Opdivo stop
8/23 1.0 All ok

Rikimaroo
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:48 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby Rikimaroo » Sun Jun 10, 2018 6:16 pm

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...
RC T3N1M0 12/16
MSS - NRAS Mutation
Chemo Rad, CCR - W&W 5/2017
Recurrence 11/2017
CT Scan 11/2017 Liver Met 5.5cm Stable, Stage IV
LAR/Liver Resect 4/2018
Reversal 10/18
CEA highest 500, lowest .8 throughout process, waiting for latest
Recurrence left vesical/pelvic sidewall - 10/7/2019 resect perm bag,
CEA rise Feb/May 3.7, 8.8, 30, Recurrence in Pelvic
CEA 40 right now, but was 57, so folfiri to beat it back down.
Lots of chemo for the past 4 years.

jep
Posts: 260
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2017 7:45 pm
Location: New England, USA

Re: Colon cancer screening at 45 - New guidelines

Postby jep » Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:18 pm

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
Stage IV CC 5/16/17
Loc: recto-sig
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Size: 7.4 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N2M1
LNs: 8/20
BL CEA: .9
LVI: present
Perineural invasion: present
LAR margins: clear (w/in microns)
Folfox (8/17-1/18)
Scope 6/18 - CLEAR! - 2 polyps
PET 10/17/18: 3 pos LNs
Irino + Vecti (11/18)
CEA: 1.7 (2/19)
Xel + rad (5/19)
Surgery: 8/21/19 (aborted)
P1 Trial 10/19 - 12/19
Bypass 12/6/19
Folfox + vecti 1/2/19 - 4/3/20
Kid Fail 5/1/20
Folfiri + Avastin 5/20 - 6/20
bypass 6/29/20
Stivarga 7/18/20 -
Home 9/10/20


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