How often should a person over 55 years old have a colonoscopy?

Question

My elderly mother had her first colonoscopy at 70+ years old. The doctor told her she would not need another one for 10 years. I thought this procedure was like many others that need to be done every other year or so. Does anyone know?

Answer 1

I saw this on Medical News Today:

"According to Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD, associate director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, the general recommendation for a baseline colonoscopy is beginning at age 50 and thereafter every three to five years."

In your grandmother's case, it must have been due to her advanced age that another one was recommended after 10 years. The procedure itself is pretty stressful so I can imagine that it should be done as frequently as warranted but not too frequent to cause unnecessary morbidity.

Answer 2

I was told at age 43 that I was too young to have procedure. "Come back in two years", the doctor said, despite family history of cancerous polyps. I didn't have my first until age 48, at which time pre-cancerous polyps were removed...and I am rescheduled for less invasive procedure three years from now.

The only scary thing about a colonoscopy is when they bring out the black garden hose, and you just KNOW where it's headed.

Answer 3

I am 37 and just went to the doctor to check about getting one done. Colon cancer runs in my family, and I detected blood in my feces. My Doctor told me I was to young to have a colonoscopy and did an exam. It turns out , Thank the good Lord, it appears to be hemorrhoids. Three children later I get them...go figure. Anyways my Doctor said that I should not have a colonoscopy until I am 50, and then every year thereafter.
Unless of course you find blood, pus, your stools are black, un-explained weight-loss or other symptoms, then go in sooner.

Answer 4

I had my baseline at 51. My GP says my next one is due at 60, and about 8 to 10 years after that unless there is a reason to one earlier. So, every 8 to 10 years.

HTH

Charles

Answer 5

Unless you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps normally it would be done annually starting at 50. My only thought is that if it showed up to be fine at 70, she's probably good and really doesn't need another test.

Answer 6

medical doctors having nurses could desire to hold the affected person down on a similar time as they are screaming could desire to in no way take place. see you later as you're wakeful and additionally you assert "provide up", the well being practitioner is had to provide up because of the fact at that element you have rescinded your consent. Now, permit me say there are situations the place a affected person who became into in twilight sedation became into no longer totally comfortable and felt soreness yet could no longer get the well being practitioner to provide up; although, people who're given twilight are additionally given Versed that's meant to create amnesia. It does no longer advise it did no longer take place, it makes you forget and performed improperly it could no longer artwork. on the record of cautioned varieties of sedation for colonoscopies respiratory in nitrous oxide - giggling gas could be decrease on the record. not one of the medical doctors I visited supply that option. the reason being however restoration is speedier, there's a extra suited incident of sufferers experiencing soreness. maximum used to apply twilight; yet, further and further centers are utilising Propofol; which calls for an anaesthesiologist to manage. Propofol has fewer area outcomes and a quicker restoration. individually, I easily have had 5 colonoscopies as much as now and in no way been sedated for it; although, that became into by utilising my very own picking. I do experience some soreness and soreness; although, i will communicate the place and the severity of the soreness to the well being practitioner. The well being practitioner needs to proceed slower so as to maintain my soreness decrease. in case you have a severe soreness tolerance; then no sedation could desire to be an option sooner or later; yet, you may desire to discover a doctor who will comply with doing it without sedation. I continuously comply with an IV, in case something is going incorrect and that i could desire to be sedated for surgical operation. The nurse helps by utilising using rigidity in factors the place i'm feeling soreness. This frequently helps instruction manual the scope or provide up it from kinking. i could document a suited criticism against the well being practitioner and the power with the scientific evaluation board.

Answer 7

I think it is once a year but the doctor might have said that due to her age.

Answer 8

every 12 months

Answer 9

your right i would say every two or three

Answer 10

everyday