Colonoscopy

I have not had the procedures you mentioned, but would imagine that there could be benefits from getting the full colonoscopy, for a new baseline, if nothing else. It might also help to diagnose if you might already have any existing proctitis or lingering effects/damage from your earlier treatments involving radiation. They could get pictures of it, and perhaps spot treat some of it while they are in there.

Have you had a previous colonoscopy, and, if so, did it reveal that your body produces colon polyps, which may have been previously removed? If you have a history of producing polyps, the likelihood of producing more polyps becomes significantly greater. The colonoscopy screening/testing interval for people whose bodies produce pre-cancerous polyps needs to become more frequent than for the general, low risk public.

On a related matter, in April 2016, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force began recommending that people who are 50 to 69 years old, have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and are not at increased risk for bleeding consider taking aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer. The risk for colorectal cancer might be reduced by around 20%. Talk with your doctor.

Just some thoughts,
Charles

I would definitely make sure the doctor that does the colonoscopy is aware of your radiation treatment. I would ask the RO for a letter describing your treatment and possible issues in your colon that could be related to your treatment. You don't want them trying to fix something that just makes it worse. Blood in your stool is a common byproduct of radiation treatment.

Regards,
Kris

In May of 2010, I had Brachytherapy and all went very well for me. In February of 2013 I was experiencing some blood in the stool. Never a huge amount, only like traces of bright red blood. Got a Sigmoid (more like a mini-colonoscopy) that February and scoped all the way up into the colon (witout any anesthesia)'and was told to just let the Doc know when the pain got kinda intense. That worked out well and as I watched the TV monitor, I could see many MANY tiny blood vessels. Was advised this was probably just some radiation proctitus most likely from the radiation received from the Brachytherapy plus some small hemmorhoids. Was given some stool softener which always made a difference - and it still does when I remember to take it. Now five years later, I still have tiny streaks of fresh blood in some stools. At age 80, I am going to just "live with it".

For those who don't want to undergo an intrusive procedure. There are several different new Immunochemical FOBT (fecal occult blood test) that are very sensitive for detecting colon cancer and high specificity. Of course these are more reactive then proactive approach to cancer detection. And if a positive result occurs, then you will still have to under a colonoscopy.