Why 1/3 of the senior population are not posting on this website, and have also not had colon screening is an unknown quantity. Maybe they don't have a computer, or insurance, or are homeless, or any number of other things.
They may or may not have made a wise decision.
Good luck with making your decision.

Does this mean I'm not allowed to be curious? Does this mean patients should be dumb and stay dumb? Is there a doctor's oath to this effect that I don't know about? I would like to read some of those scientific studies and clinical trial conclusions.

Curious? Or convinced?
In either case, John Hopkins has some Health Alerts on the subject that you can read at your leisure...no charge.
All Colon Cancer Alerts: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts

KayakerNC, thank you for posting that link.

Colonoscopies May Save Lives
 

I felt I had to respond to this thread since I had two neighbors in SC who died from colon cancer. It is not pretty. One was in her 60's and the other was in his 70's. Neither had ever had a colonoscopy and had no history of colon cancer in their families. I have another friend who had never had one (in his mid 60's), then had his first about a year ago, had polyps, was told it wasn't serious, yet had to go through chemo and radiation for about six months. He is clear now, but goes for semi-annual checkups.

I had one at age 50, was clear, and will go back at age 60. My husband had polyps at age 50, which were removed, and goes back every five years. He has been clear since the first colonoscopy for which we are grateful.

I believe in preventive medicine. A little bit of inconvenience is worth not having to go through cancer treatment.

The question was asked, "Why was this thread started at all?" In other words, suggesting that nothing good would come of it. And many tried hard to make sure nothing good would come of it. They suggested, in a round-about way, that this thread should be shut down.

But you, KayakerNC, proved all the naysayers wrong. You provided a link to some excellent information about colon cancer. Your link was very helpful in making this thread worthwhile. Thank you, I read about 3/4 of the information provied by the link. In the future I will try to remember "Johns Hopkins Health Alerts."

But, you know me, I still have some questions: Before they described about 5 different tests, they said each one has its own risk or risks. But then, as they described each test, they never said what the risk(s) would be for that test. So, in this regard, it seems that Wickipedia turned out to be better. Wikipedia at least gave some of the risks for a colonoscopy. Probably because Wikipedia is not biased by being in the medical business.

Also, it said that most polyps remain benign. But that information by itself leaves a lot of questions unanswered. What percentage of polyps remain benign? And how many people out of X number of people have polyps in the first place? How do people with a family history of colon cancer compare with those with no family history? How do vegans compare with those who eat animal protein? I could go on and on with these questions.

They did say you could lower your risk by exercising and by other means. But, for example, what does it all add up to if one is at their ideal weight, eats lots of fiber from fresh fruit and vegetables, exercises and has no family history etc.. Does that represent a 50% reduction in risk or a 75% reduction in risk? And what would that be in terms of numbers of people per 100,000? Again, because they are in the medical business, they shy-away from answering these questions because it might encourage people to go untested.

:agree: 100%

If this threads gets one person to consider having a colonoscopy done, then it is worthwhile. I don't know everything and will be the first to admit that medically trained people have more knowledge than I. That is why I think it's prudent to have a colonoscopy.

:popcorn:

Did anyone see the article in yesterday's Daily Sun? The heading: "Veteran gets $1.25M from US after surgery led to infection"

Search: "VA infection issues lead to 13,000 veterans' tests - msnbc"

As many as 13,000 patients may have been exposed to hepititis, HIV, and other diseases because of poor hygiene. The colonoscopy equipment had not been properly cleaned (i.e., not sterilized).

And this went on for several years; it was not just a one-time mistake.

I don't understand why you continue to discuss this. You have made up your mind.

Do you want to talk others out of tests that identify cancer that can still be treated?

Nothing is without risk. Nothing. And human error and crummy hospitals still exist....everywhere.

It is for each of us to find the best answer for ourselves and live with it, or sadly die with it.

Unfortunately, both my wife and I are not "doctor people."
HOWEVER, she was not feeling well and I convinced her to get checked out. After a colonoscopy was completed it was determined that she had colo-rectal cancer. She has just finished radiation and chemo treatments and this Thursday (11/29) we visit the surgeon to see how much was shrunk and when he will perform the surgery to remove it.

Actually, all seems to look good - we hope!

We had to cancel our Lifestyle Preview in October but have re-booked for January. Hopefully all will be right by then.

OH - the reason for this post - I am 62 and have never had a colonoscopy.
As soon as my wife is well, I will be booking my first one !!!!

ugotme, I'm sending my wishes for your wife's return to good health soon! I had my first colonoscopy 3 weeks ago, and I'm a pretty wimpy person, but it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The prep work is the hardest part; the procedure itself is not that big a deal since you should be fast asleep. Best of luck to you and your wife, and I hope you are able to take your Lifestyle Preview visit in January.

Thank you very much.

I am confident that I will "see" you all in January!

We are looking - and looking to buy!!!!

I'm going in for a double ender tomorrow morning. Gotta start drinking the juice at 5PM today. No solids after 1PM today. Hope the juice taste better than it looks (probably worse). I have done the upper several times but for that you only need to fast (no juice).

As usual, you hit the nail on the head. Bingo!!!!! :smiley:

Best of Luck house hunting. I hope you find exactly what you are looking for. :smiley: