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SereniaSaissa
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Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 7
Location: Ontario, Canada
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 Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:40 am Post subject: Re: Both my father and grandfather have had colon cancer. |
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Both my father and grandfather have had colon cancer.
My grandfather died from it in 1989.
My father has had both surgery and chemo, and a colostomy bag and another operation to put all the "plumbing" inside his body (not sure what its called - maybe a J pouch?). My father is still alive and doing well, although he did have to take early retirement from work when his cancer was discovered.
Let me think - his first operation was 11 years ago. He has also since been diagnosed with prostate cancer as well, but that is slow growing and seldom kills people. Like he told me once - men usually die WITH prostate cancer, not OF prostate cancer.
My doctor says that I need to start having coloscopies next year when I turn 45 - based purely on my family history.
What is a coloscopy and how much does it interefere with normal life? |
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brainman
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Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4438
Location: Tennessee
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SereniaSaissa
New User
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 7
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:43 am Post subject: Re: Both my father and grandfather have had colon cancer. |
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Oops sorry about the spelling.
A camera huh? well thats good.
Might need to get my husband to have one as well. I've poasted about his symptoms today too.
Thanks for your reply.
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brainman
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Location: Tennessee
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interval
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Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Both my father and grandfather have had colon cancer. |
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Statistics show that most colon cancer occurs in people with no family history of the disease. However, colon cancer can run in the family.
Whether you're at increased risk depends on which family member was diagnosed and at what age.
1. If one first-degree relative (eg parent, sibling, and child) were to be diagnosed with colon cancer at age 60 or older, the diagnosis doesn't increase your risk.
2. If one first-degree relative is colon cancer diagnosed before the age of 60, then it does increase your risk. For instance, if your mother were to be diagnosed with colon cancer at age 55, you'd be considered at increased risk for colon cancer.
3. If two or more first-degree relatives were diagnosed with colon cancer at any age, you'd also be considered at increased risk
Recent studies concluded that obesity is a high risk factor for colon cancer
http://www.askmenhealth.org/__obese_men_at_increased_cancer_risk.php
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men health questions
http://www.askmenhealth.org |
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Rotorhead
Regular
Joined: 04 Jun 2008
Posts: 34
Location: Hawaii
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject: Re: Both my father and grandfather have had colon cancer. |
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The two genetic tests that are commonly done for colon cancer patients are the AFAP and HNPCC tests. These can asess whether or not colon cancer is hereditary. If it's possible, check with your families' medical records to see if these tests were done.
Here's a link to my blog post on genetic counseling:
http://rotorheadsblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/genetic-counseling-101.html
A colonoscopy is a simple outpatient procedure, usually done under "conscious sedation". I didn't remember any of mine except when the doctor "woke me up" to point out my tumor. No pain and no problems afterwards. You do have to prep for it the night before by drinking some nasty drink that clears out your colon...like a volcano. On the scale of 1-10, 1 being nothing and 10 being a big painful deal, I'd give colonoscopy maybe a 3.
Aloha, RH
_________________
Diagnosed Stage 3 rectal cancer Nov 07
6 weeks chemo/rad Dec 07/Jan 08
Surgery (TME) 11 Feb 08
6 months FOLFOX started March 08
My blog: http://rotorheadsblog.blogspot.com/ |
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