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Is Colonoscopy Not Advisable For A 79 Year Old?
I AM 79 YRS. OLD, IN GOOD HEALTH. HOWEVER EVERY 5 YRS WHEN I HAVE A COLONOSCOPY, THEY FIND 1 POLYP: TUBULAR ADENOMA ( PRECANCEROUS). NOW THEY SAY NO MORE PROCEDURES AS I WILL BE TOO OLD. MY PEOPLE LIVE INTO THIER LATE 90 S. I HAVE AN HMO, DOES THAT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT?
Tue, 24 Apr 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
We usually stop doing procedures when the person's lifespan is less than the time it would take to die from a disease. Colon cancer is very slow growing.
It usually takes 10 years for a polyp to turn into cancer then another 10 or so years to die from it. If you feel strongly that you want another colonoscopy, you can ask your doctor to apply for an exception in your case. I wish you all the best.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Kathy Robinson
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
We usually stop doing procedures when the person's lifespan is less than the time it would take to die from a disease. Colon cancer is very slow growing.
It usually takes 10 years for a polyp to turn into cancer then another 10 or so years to die from it. If you feel strongly that you want another colonoscopy, you can ask your doctor to apply for an exception in your case. I wish you all the best.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Kathy Robinson
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