Colon Screening

At what age should you have a colon screening if you has a parent that has colon cancer. Went to doctor and he told me I should still wait until age 50. I am currently age 42.

Most consensus groups recommend starting screening for cancer at age 50, or 10 years before the youngest 1st degree relative was diagnosed with colon/rectal cancer. (i.e. if your father was diagnosed with cancer at 52, you should start screening at 42).

How to screen varies greatly, and is a subject of much debate. The best evidence is still for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT - looking for blood in the stool) and getting colonoscopies on those who are positive, however, common sense suggests that getting regular (every 3-10 years) colonoscopies might be even safer.

In Canada we recommend using FOBT with colonoscopies for positive results in everyone over 50 (or 10 years before youngest family diagnosis). This recommendation is likely because of the resource issue in Canada. Despite this, some physicians will still request/perform screening colonoscopies, because they feel it is the safest thing to do.

In the US, resources are less of an issue (and patients who can or can not afford screening will select themselves), and so the recommendations are stronger. While they vary, in general, they suggest that screening should be with colonoscopy every 5-10 years, starting as outlined above.

I think that the starting age guidelines as recommended is reasonable. If you are very concerned, however, it would be also reasonable to request FOBT annually from your doctor and if any of these come back positive to peform more invasive tests (i.e. colonoscopy).

Hope this helps.

2007-12-21 06:14:49 by jeemmm

Colonoscopy is the most comprehensive for detecting colorectal cancer. Dr. Manny reviews what happens during the procedure. Aired by FOXNEWS ...

what's the name of a doctor that specializes in colon checkups, colon screening, colon cancer screening....basically dealing with the colon area?

a gastroenterologist.

2009-07-15 10:04:48 by ♥Gabby~Gabs♥

Price: $99.00

My father who's 50 is going in a couple of days to do screening for colon cancer. My mom is concerned that the risks outweigh the benefits. She said she heard from someone that theres a chance of them rupturing something while conducting the screening. My question is wether this type of screening runs big risks or relatively small risks. I dont know the exact name for the procedure.

Your dad is probably going to have a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. They are basically the same thing except a colonoscopy goes in farther. They put a flexible tube in your rectum. It has a camera on the end of it. They move it through your intestines and look around. They are able to see if anything looks suspicious. If anything does, they can take a biopsy right there. It is a pretty safe procedure. Millions are done every day. The chance of perferation is a small possibility, but the benefits definitely outweigh the risks. I would urge people who are age 50 and older, or younger people that have other risk factors to please have this done. It can save lives! I see far too many people die of cancer in my job as a cancer nurse. These tests are available and I wish more people would take advantage of them. Please urge your parents to get this test done.

2008-03-11 20:17:08 by Joel S

Price: $51.95

...How much does a colon cancer screening cost?

I am over 50 years old and have no medical insurance......

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/bas ic_info/screening/

Is Free or Low-Cost Screening Available?
If you live in one of the following locations, you may be eligible for free or low-cost colorectal cancer screening through the CDC-funded screening demonstration program. To learn more—

Suffolk County, New York: Call (631) 444-7644
Baltimore, Maryland: Call (410) 887-3456 or 1 (866) 632-6566
King, Clallam, and Jefferson counties, Washington: Call 1 (800) 756-5437
Nebraska: Call 1 (800) 532-2227
St. Louis, Missouri: Call (314) 879-6392
If you live elsewhere in the United States, please call 1 (800) 4-CANCER or 1 (800) ACS-2345 to learn more about screening options in your community. You may also be able to find information about free or low-cost screening by calling your local department of health


Otherwise, call a local doctor.

2007-11-08 10:32:55 by GUARD DOG

i do not want to take a colonoscopy at this time. what can the colon screening test achieve?

All of Autumlief’s information is correct. However, you should know colonoscopy is the only test that can detect and remove polyps. It is the gold standard for colon cancer screening. By removing polyps before they become cancerous you can prevent the disease all together. By removing cancer that is confined to a polyp you prevent the disease from spreading. It is also the only way to know if you have a healthy colon. I know the test does not sound pleasant (I can’t think of a medical exam that is.), but it is not painful. Do not accept any other test as a clean bill of health when it comes to colon cancer.

2008-01-28 05:29:43 by julie d