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How important is a colonoscopy?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/2/2013 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
My son's 21 - he has cancelled a few colonoscopies this year around exam time and now he has one booked for this Weds. He doesn't want to have it - at the moment he's not too bad - he's just finished a course of pred after a flare and he is frightened the scope will make him worse again. Apart from this we have to travel 70 miles on trains as he is under a London hospital. They have never managed to do a colonoscopy so far as his bowel has been too bad and they say they want a starting point. Wondering whether to ask the local gi to do it to avoid the travelling. Any thoughts? Thanks
Posted 11/2/2013 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Usually you have had to have a colonoscopy to be diagnosed in the first place. I understand his fear that the procedure will make him worse. I have the same fears myself, more so from the prep than the actual procedure but if they do a lot of biopsies during the procedure that could also make him temporarily worse. The doctors are correct though that they really should have a starting point. Try to talk him into doing it at the local GI. He really should have it done.
Posted 11/3/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
It is very important to have regular colonoscopies to see the extent of the disease. Also, Inflammatory Bowel Disease increases the risk of colon cancer, so biopsies will tell them if there are any precancerous cells.

I have had colonoscopies during two of my flares, and I honestly didn't notice that it made my symptoms any worse.
Posted 11/3/2013 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
It can also help catch colon cancer and even anal or rectal cancer sooner too.
Posted 11/3/2013 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
If it were me I'd hate traveling on a train 70 miles the morning of a c-scope but I would do it if it meant having the better GI do it because I'd want the best person doing the exam, taking biopsies and making notes about what they saw.

However if the local GI is just as good then having a local person available when you need them would be a good idea. Especially if they have admitting privileges at your closest hospital.
Posted 11/3/2013 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
The scope should be done by the doctor treating your son, because looking at pictures and reading a report just isn't the same as the doctor seeing the colon himself. Perhaps he could travel the day before and do his prep in the same city as the procedure? Or if the local GI is just as good, perhaps your son could transfer his care?

And yes, the only way for the diagnosis to be confirmed is with a colonoscopy and biopsies. This guides treatment, and will likely be repeated at least every couple of years. We do have a higher rate of colon cancer also, and a scope can diagnose early enough for a cure in most cases.
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