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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

"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 .....