When is it TIME to STOP Colon Cancer Screening?

Have you been told its time to stop colon cancer screening? Or do you wonder if you really need another colonoscopy, and think its time to stop having a colonoscopy?

In this video, I discuss how we decide when it is time to stop colon cancer screening. First, its important to understand the goal of a colonoscopy - to prevent colon cancer. And that is done by removing polyps that may turn into colon cancer in the future. Second, I talk about when polyps may become cancer. Third, I explain why only having one colonoscopy isnt enough and if stool based colon cancer screening is ok. Fourth, I discuss how GI doctors determine how frequent your colonoscopies should be based on how many polyps or what type of polyps you have. Fifth, I eplain why someone would want to stop having colon cancer screening and what the guidlines state as a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, i talk about where the guidlines are not clear and how you and your doctor can explore when is the best time for you to stop screening. While a colonoscopy has many benefits, there are risks for people who have severe conditions and may not be the right choice for people with other comorbidities. So discuss these factors with your doctor!

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DISCLAIMER: While I am a Gastroenterologist, I am not acting as your Gastroenterologist. The information provided on this channel is intended to be general educational content and not directed towards any one individual. If you believe you have a medical condition that deserves attention please seek care from your healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, call 911.

[ayokay]

Pressure from hospitals on gastroenterologists to bring home the bacon leads to many unnecessary colonoscopies. This doc is a breath of fresh air.

[Patco]

Had colonoscopy at age 52 and was diagnosed with colon cancer. Screening save my life and have been cancer free since.

[EddieJazzFan]

My dad has his first colonoscopy at 88 years old and was diagnosed with colon cancer. I guess there is no way of telling how long he had it, but he was a heavy smoker. They wanted to do all sorts of surgery on him and he said NO! The doctor was surprised at his answer. So he had radiation and chemo and the huge tumor shrank down to nothing. He lived about six more years until the cancer show up again in his liver. But he did have a really healthy life for those last years without surgery.

[sharonmassetti]

For me the only bad thing is the prep the day before.

[joeyjamison]

I'm 75 and have undergone 6 colonoscopies. After the last one when I was 68, I asked the Dr. how many polyps has he ever removed from me. When he went over my records and replied "I've never removed any", I thought "I'm done with this".

[backNblack]

I have stage 4 colon cancer. I was ONE year late for my colonoscopy and was diagnosed with stage 3b colon cancer at age 61. It then metastesized to my liver. Trust me everyone, as bad as the prep is, it is much worse to have colon cancer!

[gstlb]

I had my last colonoscopy at 70, no polyps. The surgeon said he didn’t need to ever see me again 😊

[davidh]

Excellent, excellent report. I am a retired 74 year old Internist in great health with a lousy family history of colon cancer. I think the most important point here is that you do yourself a disservice by not talking to your DOCTOR about colonoscopy. Not a Physician Assistant. Not a Nurse Practitioner. And god knows, not a Chiropractor. A real, trained doctor! Both of my father's parents had colo-rectal cancers in the mid 1950s. They survive and died of cardiac disease. My father had both thyroid cancer and died of lung cancer. Neither he nor his sisters and bother had colon cancer. My then 49 year old brother had a lemon sized, malignant polyp removed from his colon. He's still alive and kicking. Me? First colonoscopy like a good boy age 51 (the age 45 recommendation came later, and that is super important if you are Black. Colo-rectal cancer DOES discriminate and has no intentions of stopping.) I had 2 millimeter sized flat polyps. Because of my brother's history, we repeated my study after 5 years. Clean. I got busy, covid showed up, and I had no desire to do the prep. I did a genetic stool analysis at 10 years. Clean. Medical allows a repeat test after 3 years. It came back positive - whatever that means. I repeated the full colonoscopy, more than 20 years after my initial, essentially unremarkable baseline screening. The stool screening test turned out to be a false positive - still no polyps or malignancies in my gut. And my doctor wants to repeat it in 5 years. In 5 years, if I'm still alive, I'll consider it, but almost certainly won't go through with it. I am more worried about general anesthesia and the risk of intestinal perforation/puncture from the procedure than I am of the findings. Decisions need to be made, but they need to be good, rational decisions!

[nancymurray]

I am 84, my Dr. told me she didn’t want to see me anymore at 75. I have several polyps that were removed that were the kinds that cause cancer. Both of my parents had colon cancer, an uncle and a grandmother had stomach cancer. I am now having concerning symptoms. I often questioned why my wellness check wants me to keep having mammograms but totally ignore the risk I had for colon cancer. Especially now!! 😮

[mooster]

I had an aunt who had colon cancer at age 84, and she lived to 96 after treatment. I intend to keep having colonoscopies, but found that doctors seem very cheerful about telling me that I don't need them after age 80 - without asking about family history. I have had one polyp so far, found at age 60.

[ponder]

I am 70 and decided no matter what the risk I’ll will not have anymore colonoscopy’s. The prep is so medieval.

[sharonsalzberg]

Had two at 50 and 55. No polyps or family history of colon cancer. Could not tolerate the fasting and prep and at 73 am super healthy with all systems functioning normally. My decision.

[boblossie]

Very well laid out. I'm 67 and have never had issues with polyps. However, colon cancer runs high on BOTH sides of my family. For that reason, I started getting colonoscopies in my early 40's. The doctor told me he wishes he could find a 12 year old with a colon as clear as mine. I'm the only one in my family that has a VERY clean diet with lots of raw fruits and veggies. Same goes with blood pressure issues on both sides of the family for the 3 generations, most of which take BP medication. I don't need them because I don't eat processed food. BUT I still plan to have colonoscopies because of the family history. What Dr. Cooper has done for me is make me feel more relaxed that I'm not likely to have a problem in the future.

[Nancy-cmrh]

Thank you for explaining this in a low tone voice 🎉❤

[pintsizestories]

Really well explained. I'm glad he mentioned that there are some risks to a colonoscopy as well so that's part of the decision process. My husband had some polyps taken off over the years and I am very glad he had the colonoscopies because he is unlikely now to get colon cancer.

[kathrinlancelle]

I had one and that was enough. What a horrific experience.

[llaffallott]

I was hoping for a better discussion of risks. A physician friend said he will not get a colonoscopy because of the risks, and that he knows other physicians who feel the same way.

[TaylorZ]

Dr. Cooper is great! He's so on point and speaks in an easy, convincing, understanding way that a non doctor can understand. I wish he was my GI doctor. I do wish "older person" was better defined though, like what age range is a colonoscopy no longer beneficial

[joebidendidthat]

First colonoscopy was about age 52. I had one polyp. The doctor said it was the largest he’d ever seen in his career…. As big as his thumb. Pathology should positive for cancer in the cap but luckily it had not spread down the stalk yet and into the colon wall. He said it was a lifesaving procedure for me. He said about 6 month later I would have had to have a portion of my colon removed. I will encourage everyone to get a colonoscopy at 45 and every 5 years minimum! The prep is really not all that bad.

[fishgutz]

My father died at 61 from an aggressive form of colon cancer. He had always had the regular evenings. No signs. One day he was putting on his seat belt and felt pain in his neck as the belt brushed a lump. The lump was malignant and secondary. The cancer had already metastasized. Stage 4 colon cancer. He died 7 months after diagnosis.
My last two scopes found polyps with abnormal cells. They were not yet precancerous. But they were the type that will grow to cancer if not removed.
Our son is at higher risk because he also has crohns and is a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor. He has had more colonoscopies than I have.