when is it safe to get a sigmoidoscopy after treatment

pem

Does anyone know how long you should wait after treatment before you could get any scopes, sigmoidoscopy or an aniscope?  any advice would be greatly appreciatied thx ...pem

Phoebesnow

AnascopeThats

At 3 months.

Phoebesnow

Anascope

At 3 months.

pem

Phoebesnow said:

Anascope

At 3 months.

scopes

thanks guys.  does that mean no to the other types of scopes?

lizdeli

pem said:

scopes

thanks guys.  does that mean no to the other types of scopes?

3 months

I had my first set of scopes a little short of 3 months post treatment. It wasn't that painful.  My first OBGYN appointment was 5 months post treatment. 

Liz

mp327

scopes

I had my first post-treatment anoscope at 6 weeks.

cap630

Scope

3 months after treatment then every 3 months for the first year.  Now every 6 months.  Painful for me because of scare tissue.

RoseC

cap630 said:

Scope

3 months after treatment then every 3 months for the first year.  Now every 6 months.  Painful for me because of scare tissue.

Scare Tissue

Good name for it! That scar tissue can cause a lot of scares.

 

As to the exam, three months out for me was the first time. Not too bad pain-wise. Every three months for (I think) the first year and a half, now (4 1/2 years out) twice a year.

7243

Scopes

I had an exam under anesthesia at 3 months post treatment by colo-rectal surgeon, anoscopes every 3 months for two years by surgeon, and my GI guy did  a sigmoidoscopy every 3 months first two years ... Every 6 months now.  Never hurt ... So used to all this "surveillance"!  Having one tomorrow in fact!

Barb5454

pem

I'm actually having mine done next week. I'm 3 months post treament. I had a ct scan done last month and no cancer was found. So this scope will hopefully show the same. I'm a bit nervous

7243

Barb5454 said:

pem

I'm actually having mine done next week. I'm 3 months post treament. I had a ct scan done last month and no cancer was found. So this scope will hopefully show the same. I'm a bit nervous

Hang in there Barb5454

Sending well wishes and Peace!!  xo

mp327

Barb5454 said:

pem

I'm actually having mine done next week. I'm 3 months post treament. I had a ct scan done last month and no cancer was found. So this scope will hopefully show the same. I'm a bit nervous

Barb5454

May you get the same all clear on your scope as you did your CT! 

Rej0328

Sigmoidoscopy

Getting a little nervous here.  I have been done with treatment for two years and have never had any kind of scope.  The colorectal surgeon just uses his finger, and I get a CT every 6 months.  Is this ok?

mp327

Rej0328 said:

Sigmoidoscopy

Getting a little nervous here.  I have been done with treatment for two years and have never had any kind of scope.  The colorectal surgeon just uses his finger, and I get a CT every 6 months.  Is this ok?

I am approaching the 5-year mark and still see my colorectal doctor every 6 months, at which time she does DRE and anoscope.  I believe this is the standard follow-up exam.  I would definitely ask why your doctor isn't using anoscope to examine you.  It is a short scope used to view only the anal canal and is usually painless, only a little uncomfortable, and requires no prep.  CT's are not recommended in the NCCN guidelines.  However, like your doc, my med onc seems to be hung up on doing scans and I have been having them every 6 months.  I have one coming up in June and that's it for me--NO MORE!