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DH, age 57, had his first routine colonoscopy yesterday. It was clear (not even any polyps), the doctor actually said it all looked great, and there is no family history of the disease. I have always heard that the recommendations were for every ten years in those types of cases. The doctor said he would see him back in five years for his second routine one. Why? He is going to ask his family doctor for her opinion, but he probably won't see her for several months. Any ideas? Maybe he has a balloon payment due on his mortgage then is my thought!
I know the age to have it done if you are healthy is 50. I just looked at a few sites and they said 5 years in between procedures. One said ten years if everything was ok during the first one.
I am thinking it may be the preference of the physician. If abnormal, they are saying to come back in 3 years.
I think it is great that your husband went in to have this done. I know it doesn't sound like the most exciting thing to have done, but I do feel it is a very important test.
I am 35 and I actually have to have it done this year. My dad had his first one when he was 73. He had colon cancer and I do believe had he gone several
years earlier we would not have lost him. It could have been the difference of just removing a couple of benign polyps or cancerous polyps.
From what I have read, they recommend your first colonoscopy at age 50; earlier, if you have a family history. If you have your first around 50, and all is well, 10 years until the next one. so maybe since your husband is a bit older, they are adjusting the schedule to get him more in-line with recommendations.
I recently had a colonoscopy so I recently researched the procedure pretty thoroughly. Yes, I have also read that the common recommendation is 10 years if no polyps are found. However, when I was researching I did learn that sometimes polyps can be missed. So it's not an exact science here. Sometimes if the polyps are flat especially they can be missed apparently. Also, the degree of accuracy apparently can depend on the thoroughness of the "prep"-how "clean" the patient was able to get their colon. Recently it has also been discovered that polyps on the right side of the colon are often missed. So....given that variability, I think it does make sense to at least consider having a repeat colonoscopy at 5 year intervals even if the first one showed no polyps. Just my (non-medical) .02 If you question it, why not ask the dr why he is recommending sooner. It's a reasonable question, and he may have a reasonable answer for your dh to consider.
You are right on Kaykay. There was some recent news about an area that is easily missed.....just can't bee seen. My doctor said 10 years, but I know others who have it done every 5.
With no polyps found the re-exam should be in five years. That's the schedule I keep for MY own colonoscopies. If there are polyps it should be repeated every three years.
There are conflicting recommendations, but the last time I looked (I'm not a gastroenterologist) it's every five years, per the American College of Gastroenterology, for someone with a clean exam.
With no polyps found the re-exam should be in five years. That's the schedule I keep for MY own colonoscopies. If there are polyps it should be repeated every three years.
There are conflicting recommendations, but the last time I looked (I'm not a gastroenterologist) it's every five years, per the American College of Gastroenterology, for someone with a clean exam.
This is accurate, per my gastro. I have to go three years from now.
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If you question it, why not ask the dr why he is recommending sooner. It's a reasonable question, and he may have a reasonable answer for your dh to consider.
