Question:
what is a coloscopy (sp) ? and why do i hear so many posties having to get this test?

   — Dia C. (posted on September 19, 2002)

September 18, 2002
It looks at the large intestine, lower bowell. This is where waste is stored before release. Your comment about why are so many post ops getting this test is a new one for me. I doubt they are related. I have had this for other reasons. First you do the bowell prep thing and get clean:( They inflate your intestines with nitrogen gas and push a small flexible hose all the way up to the end of your small intestine. They look for growths like polyps, blockages, and sources of bleeding.
   — bob-haller

September 18, 2002
I'm so glad you asked this question. Personally, I had to have it done because my father was just diagnosed with colon cancer in March (my initial consult was in June). My father was 71 and passed away on the 27 of July. Colon cancer happens to be very hereditary and therefore my surgeon asked that I have the test. Also, the risk factors ring very true to my lifestyle...and maybe yours: A Western lifestyle, being sedentary, and excess weight have all been associated with increased risk for colorectal cancer. Obesity has been associated biologically with higher circulating levels of insulin and a hormone called insulin-like growth factor (IGF). Chronically high levels of these substances may increase colorectal cancer risk. Now--that said--I can't stress how important it is that we ALL (especially those at high-risk, like myself) are screened. Colon cancer is VERY TREATABLE if diagonosed in the early stages. It's a slow-growing cancer and if caught in time, the cancerous polyps can be removed. However if it's not caught in time, it's a very silent killer..and by the time you have any symptoms, it's too late. If you want more info, I've attached this from the www.oncologychannel.com.... Best of everything to you all. Incidence Colorectal cancer generally occurs in 1 out of every 20 individuals at some point in their lifetimes. Approximately 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in this country. This is about 15% of the total number of new cancer diagnoses. Colorectal cancer causes about 56,000 deaths a year in the United States, although this number appears to have been declining over the past two decades. When colorectal cancer is detected early, survival rates are much higher. For example, 92% of patients who receive early treatment are still alive after 5 years. When adjacent organs or lymph nodes are affected, 64% of people survive 5 years. If the cancer is carried to distant organs, the rate drops to only 7%.
   — Karen K.

September 19, 2002
I had to have colonoscopy because I'm "that age" and because of family history. My husband also had one because he's "that age". Actually, it's pretty cool that we lived past our co-morbs to have to have these tests.
   — vitalady

September 19, 2002
This is the test that my Dr want's me to have I also have a family history of cancer. Bob thank you for giving me a graphic detail of what I have in-store for me when I have the test. LOL
   — charanewme

September 19, 2002
I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome so this was one of my pre-op tests. I wasn't sedated much so I was able to watch on the monitor. I thought it was pretty interesting and everything was normal. The worst part was the day before cleaning out. It was awful.
   — Pamela B.

September 20, 2002
Just wondering if you mean the "endoscopy" vs the "colonoscopy?" A good % of post op's have to have the "upper endoscopy" to stretch open or dilate their new pouch opening. It is typically done with a small scope put down the throat, while sedated, and a balloon at the tip is gradually filled with water and held for a few minutes to dilate that opening. Just in case that is what you mean. A colonoscopy should be done around age 50 on everyone. But people have colonoscopies when they have bowel trouble and want to get the colon checked out.
   — ZZ S.