Screening for colon cancer (or colorectal cancer, bowel cancer)

[Teacher Terry]

Joe, that’s so sad about your SIL. It’s strange that once she had symptoms that she didn’t quickly go to the doctor when treatment was still possible. Personally the dilemma for me about how often to get screened is the risk of lining perforation which often leads to death. It’s funny how people are different because my sister sees no risk and is trying to find a doctor to do one since she is 76. She has had polyps every time but the last one.

[Fermion]

Just got done with my age 50 (51) colonoscopy. So clean there were not even any polyps to remove.

The part that was interesting to me was the anesthesia. I was concentrating really hard to detect when I would get drowsy from the IV and the next second I swear they were wheeling me back into the recovery room saying we are done.

I now no longer doubt those movies where they shoot a guy with a dart and he falls over instantly.

[RetireAge50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fermion Just got done with my age 50 (51) colonoscopy. So clean there were not even any polyps to remove. The part that was interesting to me was the anesthesia. I was concentrating really hard to detect when I would get drowsy from the IV and the next second I swear they were wheeling me back into the recovery room saying we are done. I now no longer doubt those movies where they shoot a guy with a dart and he falls over instantly.

Funny. Same experience here 5 years ago. Clean and no memory of the procedure. Perfect.

[Ian S]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fermion Just got done with my age 50 (51) colonoscopy. So clean there were not even any polyps to remove. The part that was interesting to me was the anesthesia. I was concentrating really hard to detect when I would get drowsy from the IV and the next second I swear they were wheeling me back into the recovery room saying we are done. I now no longer doubt those movies where they shoot a guy with a dart and he falls over instantly.

Almost certainly propofol was used. Although it can be used for sedation, my experience with its use for colonoscopies and endoscopies mirrors yours: very quick knockout and then coming to in the recovery room with no memory of what transpired in between. Safety requires constant monitoring of vitals and control of the amount going into your IV.

[JoeWras]

Propofol: dream away. No wonder Micheal Jackson got addicted to it.

[Freedom56]

I had mine done at age 50 (no polyps) but was in a semi sedated state with fentanyl. It was like an alien abduction complete with probes. Time passed very quickly. I just do an annual stool blood and DNA test now and if I get a positive result the aliens will come for me again.

[athena53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeWras Propofol: dream away. No wonder Michael Jackson got addicted to it.

I know. I've had it for dental implants and I go in knowing that I'll drop off in mid-conversation and wake up when it's over. Magic stuff.

DS is 37 and given my history (and parents' history) of polyps and DDIL's father's recent death from colon cancer, I'm hoping to persuade them to start early with the fecal occult blood test even if they have to self-pay. It's not as specific as Cologuard or the full colonoscopy but it's an indication and that's what prompted me to get the first colonoscopy after the result was positive. You can buy them on-line and they're under $100.

[Rianne]

I'm waiting for the results of my 3rd Cologuard test. No colon cancer in the family and no issues that I know of, so this was the screening of choice. I get a test every three years.

[MarieIG]

Had my first colonoscopy at 44; and my most recent (overdue) colonoscopy in February. The doctor would not order Cologuard for me as I am high risk. I lost DM from colon cancer, and as one of the prior posters noted, the pain was excruciating.