What's a close enough "family history?" (procedure, lymphoma, colonoscopy)

[selhars]

Is it different for different cancers?

I had a clear colonoscopy 5 years ago (next month) -- and the the doc has now sent me a "reminder note" about my "family history" -- suggesting I get another colonoscopy.

I've had one aunt (my mother's sister) who had colon cancer -- at 93!
If a person has a clear colonoscopy the next test interval is ten years. Is one aunt a 'close enough' family history that I really need another colonoscopy at 5 years?

I think he's also changed his practice and is an investor in an Endoscopy Center...…so I'm also wondering if this letter isn't being sent to a lot of his patients as a way to drum up business.

I ask about whether the 'family history' is different concern for different cancers because I've mentioned this one aunt before -- to the 'any family history of cancer' question -- and no practitioner has ever given me the impression it was that big a deal.

The only side I know about is my mom's and out of five aunts and my mom -- ONE aunt had colon cancer at 93, and ONE aunt had breast cancer in her 60s. My mom never had cancer. Even when I mention the one aunt with breast cancer they make a note -- but no one is -- "oohh you need to get tested STAT" kind of worried about it. So I'm thinking this colonoscopy letter is a very good, subtle slick backdoor way to show he's being "a good investor" in this endoscopy center.

(He says "I do most of my procedures here, but you can also go to many other places"…..like I said slick and subtle.)

Thanks

[charolastra00]

Talk to your doctor? There may be a blanket part of everyone's chart where family history, no matter how vague, is just a check mark and that's how mailing lists are generated.

The only people in my family to have had cancer before me were two great aunts: one with colon cancer in her late 70s, the other with ovarian cancer in her 50s. I was 23 with a totally unrelated cancer - lymphoma. Family history can give a hint to future health, but by no means is a be all-end all.

[selhars]

Thanks Charo -- that's just the kind of perspective I was hoping to get. Reps to you.