Colon cancer screening confusion

Two years ago I had my first and only colonoscopy.

I refused any medication during the colonoscopy, and instead watched the process on the screen along with the doctor and nurses who were watching also.

Of course, there was the left side, transverse, and right side exams. The doctor even showed me (in high resolution) my appendectomy scars from forty five years ago, from the -inside- of the right side of the intestine.

An article saying that the right side might not be examined as well as the left, just makes no sense to me.

Colon cancers are more often missed in the right colon bcause they demonstrate a different biology and propensity than polyps and cancers in the rest of the colon: they tend to develop from smaller, flatter polyps, sometimes "depresssed" in shape:and may become cancerous more rapidly due to their specific genetic defects. In addition, polyps and hence cancers on the right side may be missed not because it's farther along the organ but because bowel preparation is often incomplete on the rigt side and small areas of retained stool may obscure small lesions. Still, screening for colon cancer is effective at reducing the incidence of colon cancer and in finding cancers at earlier and more curable stages. No screening for any cancer is perfect, including mammography, Pap smear and chest xray – but some degree of protection is far better than none.

I'm 58, and I know I need one, even think I might have symptoms of colon irritation....my reason for not having one is the expense. it's more than $3500 here where I live.

I have catastrophic health coverage only and would have to pay the whole amount myself..which is impossible!!! I like the idea of socialized medicine...then I'd have the test...

LynnAnn, you only need screening colonoscopy once every 10 years! Besides, the cost of routine screening colonoscopy should be around $1000. If you are paying three times as much it's because you're also paying for 2 non-paying patients (or maybe for their emergency room visits). Many facilities will give significant discounts when you pay up front.
Be careful wishing for a socialized medicine.

My husband and I are both late 50's. I had a colonoscopy at 55 under the agreement that my husband would have his too. We have health insurance that pays the entire cost. He didn't go through with his. Why? I believe a combination fear of needles (pre-screening plus anesthesia the day of) and fear they might actually 'find something.' He does have a family history for colon cancer. There lies the rub. I haven't had a mammogram in years because I do have a family history and I'm fearful what they might actually find. I can never seem to find the right time. either it's the Holidays and I don't want any 'rude surprises' or we're going on vacation, or it's busy at work....

I go for coloscopies every three years since I turned 16. I have a huge family history of colon cancer (FAP to be exact) and dying. There is nothing to them, I am sedated and they can remove my polyps (if any) at the same time.

I reviewed the study and am not at all surprised that only 31% of the colonoscopies were performed by gastroenterologists. 40% were carried out by general surgeons and the remainder by general internists and primary care providers. The training requirements for endoscopy for a gastroenterologist are far more rigorous than for a non-GI specialist. It is a well known statistic that the likelihood of missing a potentially important right colon lesion decreases as the experience of the endoscopist increases, likewise for complication rates. A gastroenterologist will typically perform several thousand per year vs 50-100 for a primary care physician or several hundred for a surgeon. This is a real problem in the United States as there is little regulation on who can perform this procedure. I imagine it is worse with socialized medicine as there simply are not enough specialists to meet the demand. When having a colonoscopy you should ask three questions of the endoscopist: how many do you perform per year, what is your rate of intubation into the terminal ileum and what is your minimum withdrawal time. If he/she is not able to give a quick and confident answer, go elsewhere. Or better yet, have a gastroenterologist perform the procedure. Also, you may be surprised to find that the gastroenterologist's fee may be less. There will always be cases where a precancerous lesion is missed but it is much less likely in capable hands.

Last year I had a colonoscopy and it discovered a polyp on the right side that could not be removed by colonoscopy but by surgery... the surgery was successful. I was very lucky. The polyp was benign.
I would recommend that everyone 50+ have a colonoscopy done. It's a very smart play.

My husband had his first colonoscopy 2 years ago by a gastroenterologist. There were 4 polyps removed and one too large to be removed. He had surgery for that polyp in his rectum which was malignant. The surgeon then scheduled him for a coloscopy (without explaining what it really was to us). He had the surgery and sees an oncologist every 3 months for lab work. They say he is fine and no sign of reoccurence; however, in this time, my brother has died from kidney cancer, our son has died from testacular cancer (metastisezed to the liver) and our best friend has died from colon cancer. Yes, we are always afraid but it has been 2 years now and he is alive, but he is miserable and Hates the colostomy bags. He says he would never go through it again. I recommend the colonoscopy and endoscopy (as I have Barrets) but, PLEASE ask lots of questions....

We take colon cancer screening very seriously. The death toll from colorectal cancer is much higher than it needs to be. The rates of death are so high that it is almost equivalent to the American deaths during the Vietnam war YEAR after YEAR. Do your research. Make sure you are going to a Gastroenterologist that is qualified and experienced in endoscopic procedures. Cancerous polyps are sometimes found in individuals who are younger than the recommended screening ages. These screening ages are general guidelines that are adjusted constantly. If you are unsure if you should get tested, please inquire with a Gastroenterologist. They are usually the most up-to-date with screening guidelines. If you are in Brooklyn or Queens, NY, you may check out http://www.guptagastro.com or call (718) 372-7434

I lost my father to colon cancer in 1997. Then my mom had uterine cancer in 2002, she is now cancer free. I had some blood in my stool which scared me a bit. I had three seperate doctors tell me that I NEEDED to get a colonoscopy ASAP. I went to the facility and setup the appointment. Came in on the day scheduled and found that I had no polyps, just hemorroids. Thank God! I get the statement from the Mountain States (our "wonderful" insurance administrator) and it says: $1500 not covered for the facility and $818 not covered for the doctor. I was only 43 when it was done and it is considered a routine screening. After about 12 phone calls I found the facility had coded the procedure using the family history code first. I got them to resubmit the claim using the anal bleeding as the first code. I was told by the Mountain States people that the bleeding would make it a nonroutine procedure which would probably be covered. Still no word on payment. I can't believe three doctors almost demand I have this procedure and insurance doesn't want to pay. I guess I should have waited until I was 50 with a colon full of malignant polyps!!!!