Friendly Reminder to get your colonoscopies.

[sengsational]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sengsational It seems like everyone I know that went in for their first colonoscopy at age 50+ said "I had a polyp (or three) removed". That happened to me too, but no polyps found since, and I've had a few more colonoscopies. So, thinking about the Cologuard contraindication with adenomas, I started thinking back and I don't think I ever heard the word "adenoma" uttered by a doctor. But had heard "polyp", so I looked it up on the colon page of Mayo Clinic: So it sounds like as long as you had the benign kind of polyp, you're still ok with Cologuard, but if you had the less benign ones, you're not. I'm glad for this discussion because now I know a bit more about the topic and will be able to kind of prepared when I discuss it with my doctor.

Today, my favorite Internet facing doctor, Peter Attia, released a blog about CRC, triggered by the death of Chadwick Boseman (age 43). They have a nice picture of the various stages of polyp through cancer:



The article doesn't mention "Cologuard", directly and seems to lump the fecal blood test and DNA tests as "screening tests for a screening test". He mentions that risk of perforation is about 1 in 3,000 for asymptomatics, and you should ask if your scope doc has ever perforated. Also ask their adenoma detection rate (ADR) and average withdraw time. ADR should be >30% for male >20% for female. Withdraw time should be 6 minutes.

[blueskyk]

Not to hijack the thread but in discussion of qualifications/evaluations of docs and procedures I find myself wondering whether or where it might be possible to see KPIs on surgeons or other procedure performers? What entities collect this data?

[Freedom56]

The protocol with our health care provider now is perform a fecal DNA test (they have their own) annually and if a positive result is indicated, a colonoscopy is performed. The fecal DNA test is covered 100% by insurance.

[Ian S]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freedom56 The protocol with our health care provider now is perform a fecal DNA test (they have their own) annually and if a positive result is indicated, a colonoscopy is performed. The fecal DNA test is covered 100% by insurance.

Is this for anyone including folks who have had a history of polyps? As someone who always has had polyps found and removed, I think I'll stick with my colonoscopy schedule for now.

[Gearhead Jim]

^^^
Me too, similar history.

[rayinpenn]

66, and I’m due for my 4th one this year.. I wonder will Medicare and my united healthcare pay for it? My first one he took out some small polyps ...

[golfnut]

65 and getting my 3rd tomorrow morning

[Gremlin]

Just finished my first this morning. No issues, thank god. Four years late but better now than never.

[rayinpenn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfnut 65 and getting my 3rd tomorrow morning

Who paid for it?

[rayinpenn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremlin Just finished my first this morning. No issues, thank god. Four years late but better now than never.

If older than 65 who paid for it?

[Scrapr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfnut 65 and getting my 3rd tomorrow morning

enjoy your afternoon

[Gremlin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayinpenn If older than 65 who paid for it?

I’m 54 and not retired yet. Health insurance through work paid for it.

[harllee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayinpenn If older than 65 who paid for it?

DH had to have 2 colonoscopies last year (one was a follow up to make sure they got all of a large polyp) and Medicare plus his Supplement paid 100% of the cost for both the colonoscopies.

[Freedom56]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian S Is this for anyone including folks who have had a history of polyps? As someone who always has had polyps found and removed, I think I'll stick with my colonoscopy schedule for now.

It applies to patients who were clear after their first colonoscopy. I had one at age 50 and had no issues. After the fecal DNA test was approved, they added the test to anyone over 55 as part of their annual physical. I think this is a better approach than waiting 10 years between colonoscopies.

[braumeister]

Age 50, a few polyps removed
Age 57, the same
Age 63, no polyps, but diverticulosis
Age 70, 2 polyps, diverticulosis
They want me back for another at 75, and I'm leaning toward doing it, even though some say you should stop after 70.

[The Cosmic Avenger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister Age 50, a few polyps removed Age 57, the same Age 63, no polyps, but diverticulosis Age 70, 2 polyps, diverticulosis They want me back for another at 75, and I'm leaning toward doing it, even though some say you should stop after 70.

Even though colon cancer is generally very slow (hence the 10 year interval for those with no sign of it), since you've had polyps and diverticulitis, your risk is higher. I'm sure you've prepared financially for retirement through at least your 90s, as someone with a background in public health, I would advise you to take a similar approach to your health.

[Gearhead Jim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister Age 50, a few polyps removed Age 57, the same Age 63, no polyps, but diverticulosis Age 70, 2 polyps, diverticulosis They want me back for another at 75, and I'm leaning toward doing it, even though some say you should stop after 70.

Some people also say you should die after 70.
I'm 75 now and getting a colonoscopy every 3 years because my Dad died with colon cancer, and I've had a half-dozen polyps removed over the years.

When I get to the point that I don't think I'll live another three years, then I'll skip the colonoscopy.

[spanky42]

I'm 49 and getting ready to ER within the next year. Had a colonoscopy earlier this year and the doc couldn't remove a polyp due to its size. Had a diff doc try again two months later and it had already grown quite a bit (to 6cm). Had surgery last month and they removed a foot of my colon and stuffed me back together. Biopsy came back negative, but he guaranteed due to it's size it would have turned into cancer within a couple years.
So I'm very thankful I had one, so sorry to the OP.

[harllee]

I am due for my third colonoscopy in the next few months. The colonoscopy place is now requiring that you have a Covid-19 test within a few days before the colonoscopy. One friend did not get the results of the Covid 19 test back in time so she had to delay the colonoscopy even after she had begun some of the prep. Anyone else having trouble getting Covid test results before a colonoscopy?

[Ian S]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harllee I am due for my third colonoscopy in the next few months. The colonoscopy place is now requiring that you have a Covid-19 test within a few days before the colonoscopy. One friend did not get the results of the Covid 19 test back in time so she had to delay the colonoscopy even after she had begun some of the prep. Anyone else having trouble getting Covid test results before a colonoscopy?

My husband had that same requirement for cervical spine outpatient surgery last month. He worked with the folks at the outpatient surgery facility to arrange the test at a location where the results could be had within the appropriate timeframe. Work with your G.I. doctor and the colonoscopy facility as they should know where to send you for timely test results.