If you have not had a colonoscopy....

[recycled sixtie]

then I recommend getting one. My brother in law has just had a mass removed from his colon two days ago. He was starting to have problems about two weeks ago and he was diagnosed initially as having a bowel obstruction .He is 75.

My bil lives in the UK and I do not know if it is standard practice to have colonoscopy there and if it is covered by the health system. Perhaps those in other countries could let me know if it is covered by insurance or not?

Your doctor can let you know if you are due for one dependant on your age. When you get a medical check up your doc can let you know what else should be checked dependant on your age.

There are several silent killers that can get you such as high blood pressure , prostate cancer etc etc. So I would say to you all that if you don't have medical insurance then spring for a med checkup and see what procedures your doc recommends. For those with med coverage make sure you have a med/physical checkup. Please don't send condolences for my bil. Do yourself a favor instead and get a regular medical checkup and if necessary a colonoscopy.
Cheers, Guy

[NY65912]

I have one every year or so. Being a Crohn's Disease patient makes it mandatory. You can never be sure. Everyone over 50 should get a c-scope, if not younger.

+1M with what Guy said!

[Seahawk]

If, and I kid, I ever get abducted by aliens and get "probed", they'll think they are looking at I-95 southbound (not that there is anything right with that): I get the scope once a year based on family history and recent "findings"...

The hardest part is the night before: My personal Road to Perdition is well rehearsed. Nike has it right: Just Do It.

Saved my life.

[scottmandue]

There is a long thread on this subject here...

Bottom line Oh yes I did say that! huge non-event, here in the states it is common practice to get the big C after you hit 50. I was a big scardy cat and put it off for a couple years... I finally maned up and got it done... easy peasy, a dentist visit is more unpleasant (no offense meant to the dentist).

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

The hardest part is the night before: My personal Road to Perdition is well rehearsed.

You can do the "prep" to the morning of.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

My bil lives in the UK and I do not know if it is standard practice to have colonoscopy there and if it is covered by the health system. Perhaps those in other countries could let me know if it is covered by insurance or not?

In the US the answer has been yes/no. With my insurance it's covered, but only after I pay the $3000 annual deductible. I have to get the 'scope and a prostate biopsy every other year. I got the docs to get off my back about it land let me skip a year so I could get them both in the same year. Since they are both about $2000 +or- by getting them both in the same year I save about $1000.
But everyone's experience is different.
I haven't looked into how this might change when I have to get ACA approved insurance next year, or how it will change when I get medicare the year after.
It's so friggin' complicated it makes my head hurt.

[mikester]

My best friend just died on Thursday morning from what started out as colon cancer but by the time they caught it it had already spread to other organs. He fought it for about a year but lost.

I'm extremely bummed out. He was a good man, a good friend and had a new wife and a daughter who hasn't even had her first birthday.

He was 45 with a history of cancer in his family.

[berettafan]

41 and had my first colonoscopy a few months back. had some gastro issues that suggested it might be wise.

Easy and frankly I enjoyed the knockout juice. The prep was not great fun but it's nice to get cleaned out once in a while.

I was clean but my doc said his feeling is 40 is a great time to start because he sees 'way too much colon cancer'.

[gchappel]

They found a large - tennis can sized- colon cancer in me on my first screening colonoscopy at 50.
Will be 10yrs ago this August. I had no symptoms, no family history, no nada.
Colon cancer is curable if caught early enough.
No the prep is not fun, but living is better. Get the recommended screening, certainly by 50.
Gary

[wdfifteen]

Did you have a colostomy? My best friend's dad did when he & I were kids. It creeped me out then. Still does. It seemed kind of extreme to keep him alive another few months.

[gchappel]

No I was very fortunate- no colostomy.
Had a scare of early metastatic disease- but turned out to be nothing.
I was very very lucky.
Actually my story has a porsche connection. I was getting my race physical, when I was found to be anemic. Again, no symptoms. Still riding bikes hard. Just thought I was getting older.
So if it wasn't for the porsche, my diagnosis would likely have been delayed for several more months- probably life changing.
Again, will be 10yrs this august and so far disease free.
Enjoy every day.
Gary

[Hugh R]

I'm 60 had my first one at 50, the doc found polyps that usually turn cancerous. I had the last one five years ago, he told me that if he hadn't removed them I would more than likely not be there for the 2nd one. Reminds me that its due again.

[steveo12345]

Our company's health insurance is up for renewal and our broker tells us that by law all plans now cover colonoscopy 100% regardless of deductible. I've got crohn's so it's once a year for me. Not a big deal.

[Bill Douglas]

I get bloods done once a year to check for cancers. Maybe I should get this done

[Hugh R]

In the USA, the colonscopy is covered, but IIRC the removal of the polyps isn't. Its considered extra, could be wrong.

Bill get er done. Only the day before is uncomfortable. Trust me you don't want to be 15 seconds from a toilet. The exam is a non-event. Even though they thought they sedated me, I watched the last one on video. I thought it was interesting.

[Bill Douglas]

Will do.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Did you have a colostomy? My best friend's dad did when he & I were kids. It creeped me out then. Still does. It seemed kind of extreme to keep him alive another few months.

In my observations (not a surgeon), permanent colostomies are typically placed when disease processes have gone undetected too long, some problem has gotten out of hand and/or there simply isn't enough plumbing left to avoid one (maybe some other reasons too). Occasionally, delaying resection/diversion results in (a really painful/ugly) death in hours or a couple days.

A few months can be a fair bit of time to get things in order for better or worse. Also, there are lots of people that incorporate various sorts of stomas into an otherwise normal life and life expectancy. It's not a perfect situation but there are some really resilient people out there.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by mikester

My best friend just died on Thursday morning from what started out as colon cancer but by the time they caught it it had already spread to other organs. He fought it for about a year but lost.

I'm extremely bummed out. He was a good man, a good friend and had a new wife and a daughter who hasn't even had her first birthday.

He was 45 with a history of cancer in his family.

My condolences. My doc has told me to get one at 50. My dad has had polyps removed, but nothing more than that in the family. I'm 42 and had relished waiting until 50...... until I read your post.

[gchappel]

I get bloods done once a year to check for cancers. Maybe I should get this done

By the way except for anemia my blood work was all completely normal. We need to do the actual screening tests.
Gary

[Bill Douglas]

Good advice - thanks. I'm pleased you survived it, nasty business.