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Jan 2, 2014 09:03PM
- edited
Jan 2, 2014 09:06PM
by
elimar
Hello Ladies, I had both BC and CRC. The information I got was that my risk was slightly higher than a person who had not had BC before, but the two don't have a strong link at this point. I don't think that BRCA plays any role for CRC either (as of what is currently known.)
paradiju, Many people over 50 just randomly start to grow polyps in their colons. For the garden variety of CRC, like adenocarcinoma, it takes about 10 years for a cell to go through the mutations from simply being abnormal to being full blown CRC. After 50, it IS wise to just let the c-scope take a look and if any polyps are in there, let them snip them right off before they reach the cancer stage. The saying is "Not all polyps are cancer, but all [CRC] cancers begin as polyps." Yes, the prep is not fun. Yes, the endoscopy is invasive. Well, please believe me that having CRC is a whole lot worse than all of that. If you are lucky, nothing at all will be found and you are good for another 10 years AND have peace of mind. BTW, after the c-scope, you would think your butt would feel violated but the big surprise is that you feel very normal afterward. Just hungry from the fasting for the prep. Secondly, if the invasiveness is just something you can't get over, then DO ask the doc for the (take-home) Fecal Occult Blood Test.
vmarie, If nothing at all was seen on your endoscopy, and you don't have family history of CRC, I do not know why you would be asked back any sooner than 10 years. I have not heard anything about BC making people have to get colonoscopies at a more frequent interval. IF you manage to grow even one polyp, they will ask you back in 5 years, but not if nothing at all was found. Other than making a buck, I'd like to know why your doc made that call.
I have been through the wringer with BC. Then, through an even worse ringer with CRC. Since I may not check back on this thread, if there is something specific I can help anyone with, get in touch with a PM.
Dx
6/24/2009, IDC, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-