Colonoscopy 2.5 years after chemo

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Calliope
Calliope Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Greetings,

I've just been through an experience that may help others....

October 2002 - December 2003 I did 16 weeks of chemo, a lumpectomy, lymph node removal, then margins bad, then mastectomy, then 9 weeks of chemo, then 7 weeks of daily radiation, then 9 more weeks of chemo. Then I was on tamoxifen for ~ 17 months and now on Aromasin since that.

So I turned 50, so one must have the colonoscopy. So they say you'll have this incredible diarhea from the drink, so on and so forth.

Well after 37 weeks of active cancer and heavy duty chemo, I think I spell diarhea with a CAPITAL D not the lower case d this was.

I was afraid of the procedure, of course heart of hearts thinking that it will turn my life upside down with a cancer diagnosis...not to mention I lost a dear friend to colon cancer - was her health care proxy etc.

Anyway for all of us breast cancer survivors, when you get the joy of turning 50 and have to do the colonoscopy, it's like a friend of mine said "After all you've been through, for you it will be a walk at the (dog) park."

Yah I'm tired today but it's done and I don't have to do it again for 7 - 10 years.........

Hug yourself today,

-Victoria

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
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    Happy Birthday!!!!
    GOOD FOR YOU, it's an ichy test, but it saved my life.
    I had one at age 49, found colorectal cancer.
    PET scan for testing spread "Lit up" a lump in my breast that I had had for 10 years...mammo every year, etc....never changed...no one was concerned.
    Well, I pushed to have needle biopsy (after finishing all my colorectal cancer stuff...chemo, rad, surgery) and found...breast cancer...
    This is more common than you might think. There is a syndrome...can't think of the name...that is a gene in women that tie colorectal cancer to women's reproductive organs. This makes it easier to get one after the other...

    HUGS for being so brave!!! And congrats for the clean report!
    Kathi
  • LesleyH
    LesleyH Member Posts: 370
    #3
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    Thank you for the reassurance. I have one in my near future and have been dreading it.

    Hugs.

    Lesley
  • Susan956
    Susan956 Member Posts: 510
    #4
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    Thanks for the information. I turn 50 in August and I have been dreading the though of the test... but now maybe won't dread it so much.

    Glad things turned out well for you.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
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    KathiM said:

    Happy Birthday!!!!
    GOOD FOR YOU, it's an ichy test, but it saved my life.
    I had one at age 49, found colorectal cancer.
    PET scan for testing spread "Lit up" a lump in my breast that I had had for 10 years...mammo every year, etc....never changed...no one was concerned.
    Well, I pushed to have needle biopsy (after finishing all my colorectal cancer stuff...chemo, rad, surgery) and found...breast cancer...
    This is more common than you might think. There is a syndrome...can't think of the name...that is a gene in women that tie colorectal cancer to women's reproductive organs. This makes it easier to get one after the other...

    HUGS for being so brave!!! And congrats for the clean report!
    Kathi

    PS...did you know that EARLY DETECTION for CRC can make it preventable...all those little polyps removed are "potential cancer, prevented".

    I'm a poster gal for this...mine was caught early, treated fast, and I'm 90%+ survival.

    I go get my first after-cancer scope this month...at age 50, LOL!
    Kathi
  • babs49242
    babs49242 Member Posts: 193
    #6
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    I also had a colonoscopy @ age 48. It came back clean!I was concerned because of past BC. I just handed back my health and life to the Lord and He took care of me! I am so happy that I do not need one of those for 5-10 yrs. that drink is YUCKY no matter WHAT flavor thsy give ya. Congrats on the clean report. Keep the Spirit up.
    Cindie
  • docholly
    docholly Member Posts: 16
    #7
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    My primary care doctor is urging me to have a colonoscopy now (I'm 43) because of prior BC and the possible increased risk of colon cancer associated with BC. Are others on the list having colonoscopies earlier than age 50 because of this risk?
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #8
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    docholly said:

    My primary care doctor is urging me to have a colonoscopy now (I'm 43) because of prior BC and the possible increased risk of colon cancer associated with BC. Are others on the list having colonoscopies earlier than age 50 because of this risk?

    Yes, if your insurance will pay for it...$2,000 selfpay last I checked...that's the trouble...still stuck at 50, even ACS recommends at 50 unless familiar history of CRC.
    Sigh....go visit the colorectal board...see the responses to my post about preparing for Sacramento...
    GOOD for you that you have an on-the-ball PCP!

    Hugs,
    Kathi
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398
    #9
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    Funny, when I was having all the stomach problems long after treatments I was poo pooed constantly and relunctantly given a colonoscapy. They did find a couple of small pollips but said couldn't be causing the problems. I have had less and once pain controlled have experienced even less problems.
    I am so glad I read the posts learn something new all the time.
    thanks
    Tara
  • tkd3g
    tkd3g Member Posts: 767
    #10
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    Hi everyone.

    I hope you don't mind that I skipped over from the colorectal CA site. A friend of mine was just diagnosed with Breast CA and I thought I'd check you gals out.

    Saw the big "c" word, not cancer, but colonoscopy, so I had to stop.

    "They" may still be saying 50 is the age for your first colonoscopy, but I would have to recommend doing it earlier. ( straight from my colorectal surgeons' mouth )

    We have so many young people on our site with stage 2,3 and 4 colorectal cancer. People in their 20's, 30's 40's and up have been diagnosed.

    Did you know that only 20% of colorectal cancer is known to be hereditary? That means 80% of the people that get it, will be the first in their family.

    I'm not trying to scare anyone, just inform you. We have all been to hell and back with cancer, why chance it? This type of cancer is SO curable( over 90%) when detected early.

    The test isn't that bad. I've had 5 done in the last 3 years. Diagnosed at 43. Stage 3 Rectal CA. I can tell you right here and now, the scope was a "walk in the park" compared to my treatment. 6 weeks of chemo and daily radiation, major surgery ( likened to open heart surgery- by my doc), then another 6 months of chemo.

    So, go get scoped. WE all do mammo's.

    Sorry for the lecture, I'm just passionate about getting the word out.

    Barb. ( Hi KathiM)
  • wingingit
    wingingit Member Posts: 48
    #11
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    tkd3g said:

    Hi everyone.

    I hope you don't mind that I skipped over from the colorectal CA site. A friend of mine was just diagnosed with Breast CA and I thought I'd check you gals out.

    Saw the big "c" word, not cancer, but colonoscopy, so I had to stop.

    "They" may still be saying 50 is the age for your first colonoscopy, but I would have to recommend doing it earlier. ( straight from my colorectal surgeons' mouth )

    We have so many young people on our site with stage 2,3 and 4 colorectal cancer. People in their 20's, 30's 40's and up have been diagnosed.

    Did you know that only 20% of colorectal cancer is known to be hereditary? That means 80% of the people that get it, will be the first in their family.

    I'm not trying to scare anyone, just inform you. We have all been to hell and back with cancer, why chance it? This type of cancer is SO curable( over 90%) when detected early.

    The test isn't that bad. I've had 5 done in the last 3 years. Diagnosed at 43. Stage 3 Rectal CA. I can tell you right here and now, the scope was a "walk in the park" compared to my treatment. 6 weeks of chemo and daily radiation, major surgery ( likened to open heart surgery- by my doc), then another 6 months of chemo.

    So, go get scoped. WE all do mammo's.

    Sorry for the lecture, I'm just passionate about getting the word out.

    Barb. ( Hi KathiM)

    Thanks, Barb, for your perspective as a colorectal cancer survivor. Those hereditary figures are roughly the same for breast cancer and yet so many ignore these possibly lifesaving tests! I had the colonoscopy at 50 this past fall. And as others have said, it's no big deal, especially after all we have been through! And the BEAUTY of it, is they can zap those polyps before they even have a chance to become cancerous--quite unlike a mammogram or ultrasound where something which looks suscipious gets only watched for lengthy periods, even years! And it sure does give a lot of peace of mind, making it worth the temporary discomfort (prep only).

    Glad you dropped by...
  • glorylane
    glorylane Member Posts: 4
    #12
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    this msg helps me understand what has happened to me. I had BC surgery in 2002- after chemo and 1 yr on tamoxifen, I had a recurrence, more chemo (taxotere) which nearly ldid me in-I am very allergic-skin, veins, etc. so I was switched to femara- in 2004 last fall I found bloodin the stool and the dr. had me do a colonoscopy- a polyp was removed that had a few cancer cells in it-but had not invaded the wall of the colon. they recommended preventive surgery to remove a small piece of the colon at that spot. However the surgeon said to wait a few months and test again since I just had a tram flap done in September! I am hoping that all I will have to do is repeat that awful test- but I am sure it is worth it if the cancer can be contained.--good luck all ( I am 61 this year and feeling well)
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #13
    Options
    tkd3g said:

    Hi everyone.

    I hope you don't mind that I skipped over from the colorectal CA site. A friend of mine was just diagnosed with Breast CA and I thought I'd check you gals out.

    Saw the big "c" word, not cancer, but colonoscopy, so I had to stop.

    "They" may still be saying 50 is the age for your first colonoscopy, but I would have to recommend doing it earlier. ( straight from my colorectal surgeons' mouth )

    We have so many young people on our site with stage 2,3 and 4 colorectal cancer. People in their 20's, 30's 40's and up have been diagnosed.

    Did you know that only 20% of colorectal cancer is known to be hereditary? That means 80% of the people that get it, will be the first in their family.

    I'm not trying to scare anyone, just inform you. We have all been to hell and back with cancer, why chance it? This type of cancer is SO curable( over 90%) when detected early.

    The test isn't that bad. I've had 5 done in the last 3 years. Diagnosed at 43. Stage 3 Rectal CA. I can tell you right here and now, the scope was a "walk in the park" compared to my treatment. 6 weeks of chemo and daily radiation, major surgery ( likened to open heart surgery- by my doc), then another 6 months of chemo.

    So, go get scoped. WE all do mammo's.

    Sorry for the lecture, I'm just passionate about getting the word out.

    Barb. ( Hi KathiM)

    Barb! Cool lady! Yup, I got the package deal...and ran into a 28 year old gal in my gastro's office yesterday that has been given the runaround...NOW after 3 months of pain, refered...but GUESS WHAT? SHE has a lump in her breast....
    HOW I HATE THIS BEAST!!!!!
    Kathi
  • susanNY
    susanNY Member Posts: 1
    #14
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    glorylane said:

    this msg helps me understand what has happened to me. I had BC surgery in 2002- after chemo and 1 yr on tamoxifen, I had a recurrence, more chemo (taxotere) which nearly ldid me in-I am very allergic-skin, veins, etc. so I was switched to femara- in 2004 last fall I found bloodin the stool and the dr. had me do a colonoscopy- a polyp was removed that had a few cancer cells in it-but had not invaded the wall of the colon. they recommended preventive surgery to remove a small piece of the colon at that spot. However the surgeon said to wait a few months and test again since I just had a tram flap done in September! I am hoping that all I will have to do is repeat that awful test- but I am sure it is worth it if the cancer can be contained.--good luck all ( I am 61 this year and feeling well)

    I am so glad to hear that docs are sending bc patients for colonoscopies, I was dx with stage 2 colon cancer 3 years ago and was celebrating my 1 year out when bc was discovered, Multiple primaries run in my family, I am #6 for colon and #3 for breast, am now NED! Always wonder where will it be next, this site is great support.

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