1 year, 5 months ago
via health-qna.com
When should one get his first colonoscopy?
With all the talk about colon cancer, I have realized he importance of colonscopy. I don't have a history of colon cancer in my family. When should I get my first colonoscopy?
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The average age for a person to have their first Colonoscopy is 50 years old and every year after that. However, there can be health concerns that can have a doctor recommending that a person have one earlier such as in their mid-forties.
As you stated there is no history of Colon Cancer however, there can be other reasons a person can be advised to have a Colonoscopy at an earlier age. For example in my family there is a treatable but serious colon condition known as Diverticlosis, because of this I was advised to have my first Colonoscopy in my mid-forties. Fortunately I had it done because even though they didn’t find Diverticulosis they did find a non-cancerous polyp that could have become cancerous in time had it no been removed.
The best advice I can give you is talk to you PCP (Primary Care Physician) regarding when they advise you have your first Colonoscopy. If there is no history of Colon Cancer or other serious colon conditions in your family genetics odds are you will be told at the age of 50.
As you stated there is no history of Colon Cancer however, there can be other reasons a person can be advised to have a Colonoscopy at an earlier age. For example in my family there is a treatable but serious colon condition known as Diverticlosis, because of this I was advised to have my first Colonoscopy in my mid-forties. Fortunately I had it done because even though they didn’t find Diverticulosis they did find a non-cancerous polyp that could have become cancerous in time had it no been removed.
The best advice I can give you is talk to you PCP (Primary Care Physician) regarding when they advise you have your first Colonoscopy. If there is no history of Colon Cancer or other serious colon conditions in your family genetics odds are you will be told at the age of 50.
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