Quick Survey

33--stage 4---no family history.

(I just figured I would have to be the one to get cancer because my siblings would have been emotional wrecks who wouldn't be able to handle it...lol)

Stacy

Stage IIb rectal July 2006, age 46
Stage IV, mets to lung, May 2007 age 47

Family history of cancers on father's side of family. His family of seven children, all but one had cancer and died by the time they were 70.

Mother had colon polyps, removal of portion of colon. No additional treatments required.

My children have been advised to start screening at 25 - 30 years of age, as well as all of my nieces and nephews. My Siblings should have started screening at 40.

Our insurance company's are not following our family genetic history. Don't expect them to advocate early screening.

Hope this helps.

Kathy

Age 37, Stage 2/3, family history.

GET THE #$%^ SCOPE, MERCURIO!!! It can be one of those special life experiences you and Barb can share...

Diagnosed age 50 with stage 3. Dr. said it has probably been growing for 10 yrs. Bummer! Recommendations for my children to be checked by the time they are 30. No family history of cancer.

GET SCOPED!! (the drugs are to bad)

Kerry

36 - stage IV colon with liver mets (I had been asking for a colonoscopy but was told i was too young, was scheduled at age 38 or 10 years prior to my mon's death.....)

Currently doing genetic testing

Mother passed away at 48 of colon cancer

PLEASE have him done the colonoscopy, I should have insisted even if I had to pay for it. I regret it now, but it's too late

Age 46 Stage IIb
age 45 stage IV metastatic to abdomen
famil history, do not have the familial gene but grandfather had stage IV at age 43.
My dad had pre cancerous polyps, one borther had pre cancerous polyps, another brother had 14" of his colon removed due to diverticulitus(sp) and my last brother does not want to get tested - he is 52
go figure. I would have loved the opportunity to have had a colonscopy early and PREVEVTED this stage IV - Colonscopy-Chemo - um there really is no question as to what to choose.

Good survey! I had just turned 49(Stage 3, 5 nodes out of 13)...No symptoms...no family history.

I have been thinking along the same lines as you. There seems to be a whole hell of a lot of us who were 50 or less when diagnosed. Last week I sent away for cancer statistics, asking for the ages of diagnosis for colon cancer patients over the past 15 years. My plan is to become armed with the facts and then approach my US Senator, Diane Feinstein, about introducing legislation which would require insurance companies to pay for colonoscopies at an earlier age. Once I get a sponsor, I hope to start an internet campaign urging people to approach their representatives to sign onto the bill.

Apparently the age for breast cancer screening used to be 50 until there was a push to reduce the age to 40.

What sets the colonscopy apart from other tests, and what makes early testing even more compelling, is that it is not just a test...it can also be a cure. Let's get the word out and save some lives!

Love you all!

Hana

48 - Stage 4, No family history. By the looks of all the posts - practicallye everyone was under 50. Encourage your husband to get a colonoscopy!

Debbie

49 stage IV, no family history and even with a colon perforation, the docs missed my cancer. 4 months later they found it with mets to liver and left lung.

Lisa P.

32 years old
Stage III Rectal Cancer
Had been having symptoms for 2-3 years
Family history-grandmother Uterine cancer, great aunts-stomach, uterine, and colon

Please get a colonoscopy!!!

Kiersten

AGe 46 stage 3 rectal
age 47 stage 4, mets to lungs
age 50 stage 4, still have lung mets, now brain mets.
Only family history was maternal uncle who had diverticulitis and then did develop colo cancer.
Mary

My husband was dx at 51 (last Halloween-scary stuff) with IIb, perforated the colon no nodes or mestestis at that time, but will have surgery this Tuesday for a spot in the mesentery that lit up on PET when he was doing his check up after finishing his 6 months of chemo.

Mom: Stomach and Uterine
Dad: Mulitiple Myeloma
Grandfather: Lung (smoker)
Uncles mom side: colon and stomach
Sister dad's side: stomach

Yuck! Doctor told us that our sons should start screening at 25 with that much history.

Age 42, stage III colon, extensive family history of cancer.

I am posting for my best friend/sister-in law.
Diagnosed at age 42 Stage IV and no family history of cancer at all. She is currently under hospice care and has been given 2 weeks. I say get the colonoscopy.
Muggins

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer at age 63. No family history.

Age 32 at DX-Stage lV w/liver mets- family hx great grandmother (on maternal side) dx w/ cc at 70 something, and (maternal) great aunt's son was dx w/cc at 44. My doc's really don't consider this family hx as not first or second degree relatives.

stage iv - no family history - 24 YEARS OLD!

Carl was diagnosed with stage IV rectal cancer with mets to liver at age 36. He had been having symptoms for 3 years but had NO family history so no one thought it could be cancer. Genetic testing was negative too.
Heather

Age 41, stage IV, yes Dad colon cancer 63 years of age, maternal grand mother died of stomach cancer 50. Took genetic testing negative.

Hi Barb,
Diagnosed with Low (nearly rectal) adenocarcinoma at age 39 Dukes A or stage 1
No family history (Maternal Grandmother had breast cancer)
Had symptoms for 1 year before dx - treated for hemmorhoids(sp?) for 6 months!!!!!
Docs thought I was too young/with no family history!!!!