Good day dr. i am a healthy 62 year old, with no issues with my colon that i know of. yet it's been advised that at my age one should go for a colonoscopy other than my gp who doesn't think so. what is your opinion and can it be claimed?

Yes you do: It is better to be safe than sorry. By the time symptoms appear, it may be too late to be adequately treated. For those with a family history of colon cancer, colonoscopy may be needed even at an earlier age.

CRC at age 45: Regular screening, beginning at age 50 has been reduced to age 45 as per AGA, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. Some groups recommend starting earlier, at age 45. Earlier CRC screening rec. for patients w/ hx of colon polyps and F/H of polyps, IBD,Lynch syndrome, FAP. Colgard is a new entry for CRC Screening rec. every 3 yrs w/ FIT every year.

Absolutely get one!: Colon cancer may be the only truly preventable cancer in that cancers all start from smaller growths (polyps) and studies tell us that by following screening guidelines, specifically having colonoscopies, any polyps seen will be removed, and thereby any chance of them turning into colon cancer removed as well. Although this is a simplified view, it truthfully demonstrates the benefits of c-scope!

Colonoscopy: It is a good practice to get first screening colonoscopy at age 50 and repeat at least every 10 years. More frequently if polyps are found. Colon cancer is preventable by timely colonoscopy.

Stool test?: As we get older, colon cancer rates go up. It is advisable to have a colonoscopy at least once. Nevertheless, there are newer tests which check the stool for DNA cancer antigens and would be less invasive. Though, you would have to get a colonoscopy if it were found to be positive. Insurance companies consider the designation of the test as "diagnostic" vs. "screening"if so.