Question 1

when should a man get screened for colon cancer if his grandpa died of it in his 40s?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If neither of your parents had colon caancer or polyps, you are probably not at increased risk based on grandfathers history and can wait til age 50. But if either parent had polyps or cancer consider earlier screening with a colonoscopy. This all assumes your are not having any symptoms now.

Question 2

i turned 45 last december.  i see commercials for colon cancer screening through the mail.  is this something i should be considering?  when do you recommend i get screened for colon cancer? are the mail-in kits a good option?

screening question

Accepted Answer

Screening: A screening colonoscopy is recommended when you turn 50, however if there is a history of colon cancer in your parents or siblings, screening is recommended at age 40. The other tests look for hidden blood in stool or looks for DNA changes. These tests won't detect precancerous polyps and have to be done yearly. If positive, you then go for colonoscopy.

Question 3

can i be screened for colon cancer with a ct scan instead of a colonoscopy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Virtual colonoscopy can screen for polyps. If one is found a traditional colonoscopy will be needed to remove it. Virtual colonoscopy is good for follow-up after a polyp has been removed.

Question 4

19 years old. change in bowel habits but go everyday. sometimes blood on toilet paper from known hemorrhoids. should i be screened for colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not at this time: The incidence of colorectal cancer is very low under the age of 40, and stats for 19-39 years of age for women are 1/1400 and increase dramatically between age 40-50 to 1/140.  Unless you have a strong family history of colorectal cancer, you can relax about that diagnosis for now.  If you have not been feeling well, experience BM urgency, you should be checked for colitis.

Question 5

how often should you be screened for recurrent colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Annual visits: Colon cancer survivors should have regular visits as dictated by their doctors. Initially a colonoscopy should be performed at 1 year and then at least every 5 years. Some testing may involve blood or x-ray testing as well.

Question 6

how do you screen for colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal ca screening.  Flexible sigmoidoscopy plus a barium enema are a less expensive alternative.  Recently, special cat scans have been used as a less invasive screening alternative, however, if an abnormality is seen, colonoscopy is then necessary.

Question 7

both grandpas died of colon cancer. one in 60s, other 80s. when should i start getting screened?

Accepted Answer

With that history: Should probably start in your 30's

Question 8

do colonoscopies screen for colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: There is only one test that has been shown to improve  survival and that is checking the stool for blood.  One should have a colonoscopy at age 50.  So it does allow the physician to view the colonic mucosa and see if any abnormality is detected.

Question 9

is colon cancer common in the midtwenties? my grandmother's mom had it so should i be screened early?

Accepted Answer

You might want to,,,: This isn't common in the twenties but if you has a family history, you might want to start screening early as there have been extreme cases of this in one's twenties and many people with polyposis syndromes that are certain to get this and need early screening and in some cases, prophylactic cholectomies, so it might be wise in your case to start screening early.

Question 10

my grandmothers mom had colon cancer in her 70's. my grandmother is still alive and mom has no risks but should we be screened early because of this?

Accepted Answer

No: Screening for colon ca starts at age 50.  If there is positive family history in first degree relatives - parents and siblings, then screening starts at age 40 or 10 yrs younger than the affected family member, which ever comes first. Since grand mothers mom is not considered a first degree relative, no reason to screen early.

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Doctor answers about:

When should I get screened for colon cancer

A member asked:

When should a man get screened for colon cancer if his grandpa died of it in his 40s?

A member asked:

I turned 45 last december. i see commercials for colon cancer screening through the mail. is this something i should be considering? when do you recommend i get screened for colon cancer? are the mail-in kits a good option? screening question

A member asked:

Can i be screened for colon cancer with a ct scan instead of a colonoscopy?

A member asked:

19 years old. change in bowel habits but go everyday. sometimes blood on toilet paper from known hemorrhoids. should i be screened for colon cancer?

A member asked:

How often should you be screened for recurrent colon cancer?

A member asked:

How do you screen for colon cancer?

A member asked:

Both grandpas died of colon cancer. one in 60s, other 80s. when should i start getting screened?

A member asked:

Do colonoscopies screen for colon cancer?

A member asked:

Is colon cancer common in the midtwenties? my grandmother's mom had it so should i be screened early?

A member asked:

My grandmothers mom had colon cancer in her 70's. my grandmother is still alive and mom has no risks but should we be screened early because of this?

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