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Annual colonoscopies??!!

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Posted 2/23/2019 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
After almost 30 years of UC my gastroenterologist wants to begin annual colonoscopies. My UC has remained in remission with 5-ASA medication with no flares. Is there that much of an increase of colorectal cancer with no clinical inflammation? Do you think annual colonoscopies may be excessive?
Posted 2/23/2019 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
If biopsies showed no sub clinical inflamation, then my GI said she'd be willing to go to every 3 or 4 years. Otherwise every year and I'm much younger than you.
Posted 2/23/2019 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
I just had my 3 surgeries in 2018. I got UC in summer of 1985.Im a male just turned 60 in Nov.No cancers in my family.My Dr suggested every year,now yes its a good procedure to ensure your in good shape.I went every 2-3 years. If u have family history of cancer then u have it every year.i went 23 years on 5 ASA and all was good.2008 got pnuemonia in both lungs and didn't know IV Anti biotics would change my UC where it got more unstable every year until i had surgery. Is arthritis from UC meds?

Post Edited (3timechamp) : 2/23/2019 9:23:54 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/23/2019 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
@3timechamp
Yikes - I’ll try to remain pneumonia-free. Sorry you’re enduring such agony. Scary how things can change so quickly). I’ve managed to avoid antibiotics since 1995! (Extremely germaphobic, especially during flu season)
I was on a 2-3 yrs between colonoscopies-schedule too until my last Dr visit when he suggested annual scopes because of the number of years with my IBD. No cancers (of any kind) in my lineage either. But then again no IBD either.
Between Asacol not being a formulary Rx on my individual health insurance policy (I pay 100% of cost) and a high deductible plan medical care will whittle away my retirement savings before I croak.
No, osteoarthritis is just here on it’s own I think.
Posted 2/23/2019 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
Age plays a factor. I think usual is 1-3 years for colitis patients. Even though you're in remission, when you think about age related risk once a year is not unreasonable.
I know in Canada it used to be recommended to start getting colonoscopies every 5 years beginning at age 50, but they've recently changed it to say if you have a family history start at age 40 instead. That's for people with no personal history of IBD, colon cancer, etc. It's free healthcare obviously so their main reason is not a cash grab for procedures, it's reducing the cost of healthcare in general by catching things early.
All this to say, with free healthcare if my doctor ordered colonoscopies once a year I'd be grateful for the due diligence! When cost is a factor, a certain cost-benefit analysis has to take place. I think better safe than sorry, a nice yearly reminder that you're still healthy and thriving.
Posted 2/23/2019 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks MariaMaria yes, cost is certainly a deterrent.
When I asked my doctor about his patients and CRC he could only site one of them that developed CRC in her 80s. My doctor has had his practice for a long time, he’s well into his 70s, so only 1 incidence... not bad. I read 5-ASA is a possible preventive and CRC is more common in CD than UC. It’d be nice to hear from others who may have developed CRC and what their disease/treatment history was at time of CRC dx.
Posted 2/23/2019 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Every 10 years of living with UC increases chances of CRC. At least that's what my Gastro said. No agony anymore since the diseased monster can't hold me hostage anymore. Surgery has been great
Posted 2/23/2019 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I think it would be a really good idea to get a 2nd opinion from another qualified GI. I agree that 5-ASA discourages cancer and ask your new doctor if he agrees that CRC is a slow developing cancer.

OP said...
Is there that much of an increase of colorectal cancer with no clinical inflammation?


We aren't doctors and therefore not qualified to 2nd guess your GI. That's why getting another doctor's opinion is so important. After all who knows if your original doc's recommendation is based on medical best practices or because he needs to pay his grandchildren's college education. lol
Posted 2/23/2019 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
just curious there OP = are you taking meds for "Also suffer from fatigue, degenerative arthritis - multiple joints & osteopenia" ?


so many factors to consider re scoping -
Posted 2/23/2019 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
@TroubledTurds
Have never been a otc customer (even pre-UC). No not taking anything for the arthritis (or anything else) stay active/mobile, avoid all preservatives and lean toward an anti inflammatory diet (although do occasionally include small portions of inflammatory foods - have to enjoy life a little). Drink mineral or spring water (only) - no alcohol and only an occasional coffee. Only supplements at this time are cal/vit D.
Posted 2/23/2019 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Very astute @IamCurious.
I’m always the skeptic (after all the pharmaceutical companies have created the opioid epidemic) and my GI is retiring at the end of June - I wonder if he’s just trying to get the last routine procedures done before retiring. I cancelled since I figure a new GI will want to go and have a look around my colon himself!
Posted 2/23/2019 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
I would just ask to stick to every 2 years if all biopsies are clear. Ask the new doc how many biopsies he usually takes.

q
Posted 2/23/2019 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, annual endoscopy is recommended after 8-10 years with UC. Some do every 2 years. Every decade with uc increases your colorectal cancer odds. At 30 years in, your odds are higher and you should get screened regularly.
Posted 2/23/2019 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks ipoop
I know - I hear the statistics but I don’t hear from any UC patients that face CRC too ... maybe when I hit 65 y/o I’ll switch to annual - for now I’ll compromise and do one every 18 months ... especially when I’m footing the cost
Posted 2/24/2019 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
We've had posters here who've had CRC. Songlady was the most recent poster with it, had uc for 20+ years, dysplasia watched for a couple years, then colectomy and chemo as cancer had spread. She's fine now and living uc-free and cancer-free.
Posted 2/25/2019 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately I’m under a colorectal
Cancer Survelance since 2015, they found a precancerous polyps,so I have to do annual colonoscopy.
Posted 2/25/2019 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for chiming in The_Swan
I can certainly understand the diligence for your annual scopes.
Curious, had your UC been symptomatic free, ie, in remission, through the duration of your pancolitis prior to the discovery of the precancerous polyp?
I can’t even remember how long it has been since I’ve seen blood.
Thanks again.
Posted 2/25/2019 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
I was in remission at that time, on every 3 years colonoscopy, it was a routine colonoscopy, no symptoms no flare. Even my dr was shocked, I was 37 years old with 13 years into colitis with years of remission.
The 3 years period give the polyps time to grow and become very big, one of them my doctor could not remove it from the first time, neither the second, it was big flat and suspicious, they thought it was cancer, so I was scheduled for the 3rd colonoscopy at hospital with full anesthesia with surgery back up, in case it was cancer to remove my colon, thank God it was not and they were finally able to remove it.
Posted 2/26/2019 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for sharing The_Swan.
What a frightful way to go into surgery - may the Angels continue to watch over you, me and everyone else inflicted with this disease.
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