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I'm age 75, and my doc says I can now stop the colonoscopies. Thoughts?

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81GyGuy
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2012
Posts : 3525
Posted 8/26/2021 6:40 AM (GMT -8)
I did okay at my recent annual physical. Triglycerides have gotten a bit higher, but we'll just monitor for now, doc says, and some of the cholesterol values have also inched a bit out of normal ranges (again, we'll monitor), but on the whole he said I'm doing okay for a 75-year old.

But before doing the lab tests that are part of the annual exam, the doctor brought up something I hadn't expected. I knew I was overdue for a colonoscopy, but he then said that whether or not I would be getting one now was my choice.

He said the determining factor here was now my age, that at 75 I could go with the test or not.

Here's an article that describes the current medical thinking on this issue:

https://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/news/20160926/study-colonoscopy-after-75-may-not-be-worth-it#:~:text=after%2075%2c%20you%20can%20make%20individualized%20decisions%20%5babout%5d,method%2c%20including%20colonoscopy%2c%20from%20age%2050%20to%2075.

From it:

"... having a colonoscopy ... had little or no effect on cancer risk among patients over 75."

"... the overall health and life expectancy of the patient"
should determine likely need for test.

"Screening guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend screening for colon cancer with any method, including colonoscopy, from age 50 to 75."

"But you're not going to benefit if you are likely to die from something else."


In planning for my labs that day, my doctor pointed out these factors in my own case, re colonoscopies:

1. Positive state of my overall health in view of my age.
2. No issues with previous tests .
3. No family history (either side) of colon issues.

So when my doctor then said it would be up to me if I wanted to continue the colonoscopy or not, I guess I sort of mentally defaulted to what he had just said in statements 1-3 above, and said "okay, let's just let it go," and he said okay.

In retrospect, now that my annual physical is over, I think I'm still okay with my decision to drop the test.

But I'm wondering if any of you here have had to make this choice, and how you handled it.

OTOH, at age 75 I may be one of the older members of our group here, so maybe I won't get all that many replies. But that's okay. Hypothetical replles any of you wish to make can add to the discussion.

But then there's also the fact that here we have another U.S. Preventive Services Task Force screening recommendation, and we all know from the PSA testing debate what a wormcan that can become.

But, you know what, it all gets down to playing the odds. The USPSTF people take a whole bunch of numbers from folks like you and me, graph them, and wherever some lines cross or something, they say that's the cut off point for further testing.

But where am I as an individual on that graph? On the "good" side of the line or the "bad" side? Like I saId, one plays the odds.

So maybe I'll do just that with the colonoscopies.

One less thing to deal with.

But the thread is now open for your opinions on the matter.
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Cyclone-ISU
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2014
Posts : 2946
Posted 8/26/2021 7:13 AM (GMT -8)

Hello, 81GyGuy ----

Glad to hear your physical went well.

That being said, when was your last colonoscopy? Perhaps 5 years ago?

I have wondered if the new at-home COLOGUARD brand testing kits would be a possibility? I know Mayo Clinic was involved in testing them.

One thought --- if you ever DO decide to have a colonoscopy, just for purposes of discussion, you could tell yourself that it's the very last one you plan to do!

It sounds like you are doing well with maintaining your health goals!

It's good to ask questions and seek input! Due diligence!

Here's to your health!
CYCLONE - # Iowa State University
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Mumbo
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2018
Posts : 2008
Posted 8/26/2021 7:18 AM (GMT -8)
If your last colonoscopy was 10 years ago, it might be prudent to do your last one now. You could use “other methods” like the Cologuard test or sigmoidoscopy as well. I assume previous tests were negative for polyps?

Your only negatives might be PCa and RT treatment, the rest sounds positive.
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60Michael
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2009
Posts : 2504
Posted 8/26/2021 7:21 AM (GMT -8)
81GYGUY,
I am all for that. You have two years on me, but my inclination is to not have any more colonoscopies. That is not based on any scientific facts, just a real desire not to put myself through that again at this age.
Michael
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Pratoman
Forum Moderator
Joined : Nov 2012
Posts : 9308
Posted 8/26/2021 7:56 AM (GMT -8)
81, I think it all gets down to something the Tall one once said to me, when i was considering whether to do early SRT... How lucky do you feel? how much risk are you willing to take.

I dont think 75 is old these days with the advances in medicine, and our knowledge on how to stay well with lifestyle. I dont know, maybe thats because i am older, but it seems to me to be true.
Also, theres the question of, do you have a history of polyps? If so, it might be prudent to do a colo. If not, it might be a prudent risk to discontinue. But again, it come down to how much risk you are willing to take.

P.S. I guess when i turn 81, i will be saying, "85 isnt really old these days.
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GoBucks
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2018
Posts : 1242
Posted 8/26/2021 8:57 AM (GMT -8)
Oh man....how can you not have another one? Just for the prep. Hate to see you miss that crapshow.
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garyi
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2017
Posts : 2244
Posted 8/26/2021 10:01 AM (GMT -8)
For all the old geezers around here, worried about a long painful PCa death, one can old image the excruciating pain from an old cancerous colon failing. Just might be a bit more uncomfortable than half a day of colon blow prep.

75 is still young.....get the exam. IMHO, of course.
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Tim G
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 3052
Posted 8/26/2021 10:57 AM (GMT -8)
My opinion is to continue the colonoscopies if, as Pratoman wrote, you have a history of polyps, and if you are otherwise in good health. @garyi makes an excellent point that the colonoscopy test is a lot easier than the suffering from colon cancer.

I have had precancerous polyps each of the last 3 colonoscopies, so am on the 5 year plan. Now 72, my next one will be at age 75. If that one shows no polyps I will probably go with a screening test, which if positive can be followed up with a colonoscopy.

Having read the books, "Elderhood" and "An American Sickness", I am less than confident about our heatlhcare systems. As Logo has pointed out after his stroke, you have to do battle at every turn.
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lapilot
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2012
Posts : 981
Posted 8/26/2021 12:58 PM (GMT -8)
I was scheduled for a colonoscopy end of this month. Original I was scheduled for the procedure at our local hospital and was moved to an outpatient surgical centre. I cancelled out because all of the hospitals in southern Alabama are closed down except for COVID patients, and all ICU, ER and trauma rooms are full. Even though the risk is low, I didn't want to take a chance.

I am 68 and had radiotherapy 7 years ago, I do want one last colonoscopy, after that, I will do Colorguard.
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Tudpock18
Forum Moderator
Joined : Sep 2008
Posts : 5372
Posted 8/27/2021 2:11 AM (GMT -8)
81, my doctor is in the same camp as yours. I have no history of polyps and am 75. No family history of colon cancer.
He wants me to do a Colo-Guard every 3 years. If they are negative then I'm good to go (so to speak). If positive, then on to a colonoscopy.

Works for me.

Jim
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Octorobo
Regular Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 437
Posted 8/27/2021 2:56 AM (GMT -8)
I am 70. I have been getting colonoscopies since I was 55. Non-cancerous polyps each time. Now I get a colonoscopy every three years. My situation is different from yours. Glad you seem to be in good health.Time for drink the drink again.
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trailguy
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2015
Posts : 871
Posted 8/27/2021 5:36 AM (GMT -8)
1 month shy of 71 here.

Can't do Cologuard due to bleeding hemorrhoids (had them since 20 years old). Due for my next appearance on the Colon Camera Show next month, will do that. Knew 2 people who died from colon cancer...it looked like it hurt pretty bad. Not interested in going like that.

'course I am up to 176 Gy fighting PCa which I also don't want to die from. 1 day of prep means I drop a pound of my Eligard fat and gives me a day to watch a couple of good movies guilt-free. smile
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TomTempe
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2020
Posts : 50
Posted 8/27/2021 1:34 PM (GMT -8)
I think my last one was at age 75.
It was clean as had all my previous ones been.
Doc said I didn't have to do it again and I hope to not.
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justwondering
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2016
Posts : 22
Posted 8/27/2021 1:50 PM (GMT -8)
According to my GP Dr. the risk of scope complications increases significantly with age: specifically, perforation, infection, death.
Do the noninvasive screen and if that’s wonky, then go ahead with the scoping.
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Cyclone-ISU
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2014
Posts : 2946
Posted 8/27/2021 1:56 PM (GMT -8)

There's one more aspect, in all of this, 81GyGuy --- since your doctor basically stated you can decide what you feel is best ... which leaves the decision somewhat undefined for you.

If you find this decision is ON YOUR MIND ... or you have any nagging or worrisome or wondering thoughts ---- then it might be easier to pursue one more colonoscopy, if that brings you peace of mind.

In a manner of speaking --- "let your conscience be your guide" !

If you don't give it a second thought, in the days ahead, then that might guide your decision process.

If you find it's still a thought, in the back of your mind, that lets you know that you should book an appointment, for your own peace of mind.

Alas --- DECISIONS ! Sigh!
CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University
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81GyGuy
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2012
Posts : 3525
Posted 8/28/2021 5:17 AM (GMT -8)
Great answers, all.

And as the answers reveal, it does get down to a personal choice on this matter.

And a prime factor controlling this choice, and one suggested in some of the answers is, how much of a gambler is each of us individually willing to be?

But I kind of like the idea of maybe pursuing the Cologuard option, as was suggested, and after seeing what the results are with that, go from there.

But for now what I'm going to do is what I have often done in the past when I had the time to mull over an important decision, and it's something I suspect lots of you have also done from time to time.

Namely, I will for now push this to the back of my mind, let it percolate there for a while, and then at some point, maybe in a couple of weeks or so, I'll wake up in the middle of the night, with a plan firmly in mind, and say to myself, "Yes, that's what I'll do!" My brain often works like that, a decision process happening at a subconscious level over a period of time.

But for now thanks to all of you for some excellent thoughts and suggestions.
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F8
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2010
Posts : 5709
Posted 8/29/2021 1:12 PM (GMT -8)
"Namely, I will for now push this to the back of my mind, let it percolate there for a while, and then at some point, maybe in a couple of weeks or so, I'll wake up in the middle of the night, with a plan firmly in mind, and say to myself, "Yes, that's what I'll do!" My brain often works like that, a decision process happening at a subconscious level over a period of time."

i know that process! if it were me i would probably get the colonoscopy. just one more .....
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