I know I have to have a colostomy 10 years earlier than I would have usually had to, so at 40. But what are the chances I'll get colon cancer? Is there a percentage, or is it unknown? I know nothing about it. I'd just like to know, I guess.
Cancer - 12 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
go see your family dr and check wit him/her
2 :
Your children will have the higher chance of getting it.
3 :
if you get any polyps removed that will decrease that chance by a large margin then be monitored every so often as ordered.
4 :
just get regular, more than regular check ups and eat well, and stay as healthy as you can. also, look up some foods that thwart cancer cells, i think tangerine peels have been in the news that will protect us from certain cancers.
5 :
Well, look at it this way: Your chances are WAY higher than someone without a family history of colon cancer. Cancer is part genetics and part behavior, so you can make a difference in your chances - with colon cancer. Make sure to eat the recommended amounts of fiber each day or as many days as you can, eat fruits, vegetables, and yogurt (for the healthy bacteria) to keep your colon healthy, drink lots of water, basically follow a healthy diet to keep your digestive system healthy. There is no guarantee you won't get cancer, but your odds will be a lot better than if you DIDN'T do those things AND you have the family history you have....
6 :
I think you mean colonoscopy, Get one scheduled. If the first one is clean you should be ok. If you have polyps they will remove them and you will need follow up exams. Stick to your DR's advice regarding exams and you will be ok.
7 :
I hope you never have to have a colostomy, but you can reasonably expect colonoscopies in your future. The good news is that, caught early, colon cancer is extremely treatable. The chances that you will get some form of cancer in your lifetime are quite a bit higher than they would be without the family history. We should all lead our lives in a way that does not encourage cancers. You have the added incentive of a bad family history. I've included some ideas that research indicates may help prevent colon cancer.
8 :
This is something to talk with your doctor about. Diet, proper nutrition and exercise & not smoking/quitting smoking are going to be key for you regardless. Because of your family history, you may need to be tested more frequently, but my understanding is that genotyping can tell a bit more accurately whether you have the cancer gene or not. But the reality is that even people without a family history of colon cancer also get it... and the largest parts of it are attributable to bad diet with lots of meat, obesity and lack of exercise. A colostomy should only be necessary if you develop cancer...and not all of them are permanent... it depends in part on how much of the large intestine is removed. For more and more people, colon cancer is curable with early detection.
9 :
The chances of you getting cancer are higher for you because of the family history. That is not to say for sure you will get colon cancer. You may get another type of cancer and it could be treatable. There is a chance you won't get cancer at all but with a family history like your you probably will get some form of cancer. My grandmother died of stomach cancer at age 34, my cousin died at age 43, I also lost 2 uncles to cancer. I have an Aunt and a cousin who both had cancer but got treatment. My cousin had kidney cancer 25 years ago and is still cancer free 25 years later. She was 24 when she got it. But you can't live your life worrying about getting cancer. Just live in the present and don't worry about the future and what might happen. Enjoy your life!!!!
10 :
I think you mean a colonoscopy, inspection of your colon (don't do a sigmoidoscopy, that doesn't look at the entire colon). There is a heighten risk. But you know that and you know what to do about it. It's difficult to say without knowing what kind of colorectal cancer your dad has. The site I've included below has a good explanation. Be sure to eat fruits and vegetables, exercise, reduce stress, stop smoking if you do, and be as fit as you can be. Please provide all the support you can to your dad. He needs it now. He has the problem, you just have a future risk that may never come. Talk to your doctor about your question. He should be able to provide more information to you.
11 :
My surgeon has recommended that my children have their first colonoscopy when they are 10 years younger than the age I was when I was diagnosed. So if your Dad was diagnosed at 40yrs, you should have your first colonoscopy at 30yrs of age. Of course if you show any symptoms whatsoever, eg. blood in the stool, change of bowel habit, go get a check up. No-one can predict if you will develop cancer. Just be aware of the symptoms that's all. In a way you are lucky. You have this advantage over many other people who don't know what to look for and may put off going to the doctor till it's too late. So please don't worry about it too much. It may never happen anyway.
12 :
I think you mean a colonoscopy. I also had a father with cancer, who had to have a colostomy. Therefore, I have a colonoscopy every 3 years. So far, all they have ever found have been polyps, which they removed. Polyps are usually what will turn into cancer if left to grow. Just make sure you have a colonoscopy every 3 years, or whatever interval your doctor recommends.
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