View Poll Results: Have you had a colonoscopy?
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll
Rear end roto rotor a/k/a Colonoscopy
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 37,468
Likes: 6,326
From: bolton
Some of you will remember my colon surgery two years ago. I had 12 inches of my colon, a fistula on my bladder, and a baseball-sized blockage in my colon removed. My surgeon thought the blockage was cancer. He stopped the surgery and called in a pathologist who examined the mass and said I was good to go. I ended up with 50 staples and stayed in the hospital for seven nights. It all started when my gastroentrologist, who is also our family doctor, couldn't complete a colonoscopy because of the blockage. This was not fun.
But for diverticulitis. I don't know what your talking about, it was a blast.... NOT!
I had a colonoscopy about a year before and got a green light although they did note presence of prior diverticulitis evidence.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 65,346
Likes: 4,650
From: Smalltown
10 year recall is the norm as long as polyps aren't found. Often after polyps are discovered they may recommend three year recall for a while. A few of my siblings are on that schedule. Rick had test at 50 one at 60. No issues. Unless he develops an issue next one at 70 would be the last
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,579
Likes: 157
From: West Deptford NJ
I have had exactly one in 72 years, and the surgeon said no more are necessary due to my age. 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,579
Likes: 157
From: West Deptford NJ
10 year recall is the norm as long as polyps aren't found. Often after polyps are discovered they may recommend three year recall for a while. A few of my siblings are on that schedule. Rick had test at 50 one at 60. No issues. Unless he develops an issue next one at 70 would be the last
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 45,165
Likes: 4,075
From: Arlington, VA
When my doc found some polyps on my first one, he said do a restest in three years. I waited quite a bit longer than that. Both the +1 and I had the test done a few months ago. I had a couple more little ones. He said five years this time for me and the +1, even though he had none. But he has a family history. Doc said nothing about 70 being the age limit.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 45,165
Likes: 4,075
From: Arlington, VA
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines do recommend colon cancer surveillance for people older than age 75 who have an increased risk of colon cancer, such as family history, a previously diagnosed colon cancer or adenomatous polyps.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 65,346
Likes: 4,650
From: Smalltown
My Dad had colon cancer. He was somewhere in his late 70's when he decided enough was enough with the colonoscopies. He was in his 60's when he had cancer , with no recurrence or issues. Maybe that's why his doc didn't fuss about his refusal for more testing.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,377
Likes: 2,616
From: Long Beach, MS
Had one at 55 that found a small malignancy. An interesting resection came out clean so no further treatment was needed. The colonoscopy (the fourth in three months!) get everything but I don't regret the surgery. After that I was on a 3 year plan for the next three. After three all-clears it is now seven years. One coming up next year IIRC. Can't wait.
