100 Colonoscopies

I had one a few years ago, we have colon cancer in our family too- I'm still young, so the insurance won't do them on a regualr basis yet, until I think I hit 40...

good luck to your family and happy thoughs and prayers to your FIL!!!

Is there an age when people typically get this done? I'm only 27 years old and to my knowledge, no family history of Colon Cancer.

A colonoscopy is a big and invasive first step! While I commend your efforts and commitment to the cause (I've worked in cancer for the last 7 years) there are less intense ways of nudging people towards better bowel cancer and health awareness.

http://www.nhs.uk/bowelcancer/Pages/bowel-cancer.aspx/?

I had one on 15th Feb, so you can count me! I'm 48. My gran, uncle, and brother all died of bowel cancer, so in the UK I'm entitled to "free coloscopies on the NHS" Whoopee do - but sounds like we get a better deal than those of you in the US. Mine was all clear, but I will have to have one every 5 years. They remove any polyps at the same time, and as the polyps take some time to develop into nasties I should be safe. It is an unpleasant invasive procedure, and I wouldn't think people should have it unless they have symptoms or a family history. Over here we can also have a poo smear test which I think detects any blood and for worried people can indicate whether further investigation is needed. I suppose it must detect blood though, so if cancer is the cause it would be well on its way... anyway, for those who have it scheduled, take my advice and have at least three full days on the low fibre diet, and take an over the counter laxative as well the day before starting the picolax, and have 36 hours fluid only - it will reduce the unpleasantness of the preparation for colonoscopy. On the bright side, not only is it essential for your health, but you will drop several pounds that week

My Mom passed from Colon Cancer 3 years ago. I have had 2 since and am now on the 5 year plan.

Had mine done in Sept.
Hemorroidectomy in Oct.
No other nasty stuff found - thank God!

Put your big girl pants on folks and get your bottom checked out!

My cousin made me get one 2 1/2 yrs ago because she had cancerous polyps. I had some too but non cancerous and I will be having another test in oct.

I had my first one super young at the age of 21 and everything was normal. I think I will wait a bit for the next one. Good luck on your mission and everyone that is going in for one.

10. I am prepping for my first one on Wednesday. Polyps run in my family but that is the extent of their results.

Got my results today - 8 polyps removed; 6 were fine but 2 were pre-cancerous. Going back in a year. Prevention is the best way here!

Hello all, You may find it hard to believe; as I do, but on June 5th of this year I will have my 12th colonoscopy! This one will be my first as a type 2 diabetic. Each procedure has always found polyps, and all have been benign, but they keep coming. 26 and 13 polyps found in my last two times. My Dad says it's a family history thing and that nearly all the men in our family have colon problems. I am a tumor machine, as my body has had tumors in it in many places since I was 6 years old. (I am now 62 and going strong.) At the hospital where I have these down, the techs call me "polyp farm" since I continue to grow them.
As a veteran of this, I can say to anyone who is fearful, that the procedure is quite easy, but drinking the colyte the night before (I call it the drink of doom) is more stressful. I usually bring a few old blankets and sleep on the bathroom floor that night, simply because, when the colyte takes effect I can't run fast enough that I can be safely far away from the bathroom. The colyte creates a high level of pressure that simply cannot be held back.

#23. I'm having one tomorrow morning and I'm NOT looking forward to purging tonight, but it should bring me great piece of mind. Hopefully:) Thanks for all the inspiration in this thread. I loved the suggestion of rinsing with mouthwash after drinking the laxative. The doctor's office told me to add Miralax to 64 oz of Gatorade and drink it, but I imagine it will be hard to get all that liquid in my belly without wanting to vomit.

Best of luck to anyone reading this thread! Simple things can save lives!

Opinions please.....last month, while at my checkup, I asked my doctor if I should get a colonoscopy done. She replied that if I didn't have colon cancer in my family then I didn't need to get one done. My co-workers think that this is bad advice. I am not sure who to believe. After all....shouldn't my doctor know what is right for me?

I am on a mission to get 100 of my MFP family to schedule a colonoscopy. My FIL is in stage 4 colon cancer that could have been prevevnted if he had payed attention and had his done. My husband had his and they removed polyps that we are waiting on results foor.

2 people responded on my first post that they were going ahead and talking to their doctoers about it.

So starting with number 3, post the number, your MFP handle and your commitment to have your colonoscopy and lets get to 100. We could seriously save some lives here.

I will join your crusade, but I need some education in this subject: Perhaps I'm not the *ONLY* one who'd like to know:
It requires my PCP to order it. And unless he detects blood in my stool, he doesn't do these and insurance won't cover them withOUT his orders.

SO, do you have any recommendations for those in the same dilemma?

I work as a Certified Advanced Medical Reimbursement Specialist - this subject is a hot topic in healthcare....

Colonoscopies are not scheduled just on blood in the stool...

Here is a base-line criteria for a colonoscopy (this is the government guideline)

This is a copy-paste taken from the Medicare NHIC Part B policy - the majority of insurances follow CMS guidelines http://www.medicarenhic.com/providers/pubs/REF-EDO-0002PrevServBillingGuide1211.pdf Page 13/14 :

The following circumstances indicate that a patient meets the *** high risk *** criteria:
A close relative (sibling, parent, or child) who has had colon cancer or adenomatous polyposis)
A family history of familial adenomatous polyposis A family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer
A personal history of adenomatous polyps A personal history of colon cancer Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis

Screening Colonoscopies Performed on Individuals ***Not Meeting the High-Risk criteria*** for Developing Colorectal Cancer
Once every 10 years (i.e., at least 119 months have passed following the month in which the last covered screening colonoscopy (G0121) was performed). If the individual would otherwise qualify for a screening colonoscopy based on the above, but has had a covered screening flexible sigmoidoscopy (G0104), then he or she may have covered a screening colonoscopy only after at least 47 months have passed following the month in which the last covered flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed.



First Colonoscopy is at age 50. Prior to age 50 has even more specific criteria involved and often is not covered.


When you call your insurance plan's customer service department to ask about eligibility for colonoscopy, you MUST ask for both your PREVENTATIVE AND YOUR SURGICAL BENEFIT COVERAGE.

In case you are not aware - it works this way:

*Preventative - the scope is entered and nothing is removed nor treated by the GI Surgeon. The colon is only viewed.
**Surgical - the scope is entered and the GI surgeon determines there are polyps, tears, etc that require a surgical intervention (cautery, removal, stitching, cryo, etc)

When calling insurance - you must ask for :
1.) "Do I have a deductible? Will this service hit my deductible (meaning your out of pocket expense)? "
2.) "Can I have this done at an Ambulatory Surgical Center?" - this is a much lower cost to the patient and less bills to have.
3.) "What anesthesia is NOT covered?" There are insurance plans that have strict criteria as far as the kind of anesthetic administered.
4.) "If they remove any polyps, when is the next time I can have another colonoscopy?" - this varies by plan and is important to know prior.
5.) Always always always - get the name of the representative, a call reference number (if they are set up to do this), and also write down the time the call connected, and the date the call was made.

Not all offices are good at doing a thorough job at getting the complete benefit picture. BUT - not all insurance companies will give you the full benefit package details unless you specifically ASK them.

Call centers for insurance companies have rules for how many things they can talk about and how long they can be on a call. Whatever you do - DO NOT LET THE CSR RUSH YOU OFF THE PHONE!

I speak on experience when working with my patients - Gastroenterology (one of over 26 specialties that I bill for) is actually a passion of mine. My own mother REFUSES to have a colonoscopy done. Her PCP has told her how vital it is especially with early-intervention and what she doesnt realize is, is that she has kids (there are three of us), her medical history is what we need to give to our future GI Surgeons when it comes time for a colonoscopy.

Until there is a radical change in colon-related care, it continues to be an area that is age-governed and frequency based on circumstances determined by the GI surgeon. Its nothing that is going to change any time soon unfortunately.