16 replies to this topic

[Goldfinger]

Hi Everyone

My   primary care  doctor wants to give me a colonoscopy as he seems to think I'm at a greater risk since I already have CML.  Like that's ever going to happen... No way am I going to allow someone to stick a tube up my butt. Who thinks up this stuff anyway? What are the odds of getting another type of cancer? I have a hunch he is just saying that as a scare tactic. Anyone ever hear of this before? Would having one type of cancer make me more liable to get another type?

Hope everyone is doing well.

Steve

[CallMeLucky]

I don't know about the relationship between CML and any other cancers, I haven't heard of anything specific yet.  With colon cancer, I know family history, and other risk factors like diet and smoking play a big role.  I think the important thing for us to remember is that CML does not prevent us from getting another cancer.  I know we tend to think things like "I already have one cancer, how bad can my luck get".  I'm really not looking to find out.  It is important to continue to eat right, exercise, get yearly check-ups, and yes when the time comes, go for some of the more "invasive" tests.  I don't think there are many people who find the thought of a colonoscopy fun, but if one weighs it against the alternatives of not getting one and that individual were to develop colon cancer, I think they would find the colonoscopy a walk in the park in hind sight.  They can sedate you for the procedure, you won't remember a thing.  If your doctor is suggesting you do it, you probably should.  Colon cancer caught early enough is not too bad; once it spreads it's pretty tough to beat.

Best of luck with your decision.

[Trey]

There is not any suspected increased risk.

About the colonoscopy.....

http://community.lls.org/message/28317#28317

[Tedsey]

Steve,

I am supposed to be on vacation, but I couldn't help but peek in on you guys.  Anyway, about 8 or 9 years ago, I had a colonoscopy (--way early, I was in my late 20s or early 30s).  It was to check out some unusual bleeding.  It was very painless and no pain afterward.  The only thing that was a bother was the huge amount of liquid solution that I had to drink before.  It was a lot and tasted yucky (but I have ingested worse things).  I think there are other ways to prep for the procedure, but it is not that bad. 

Sad story.  I just went to a funeral for an inlaw who was only 59 when he died.  He never went to the doctor for physicals.  He was even a rich man who could afford the best medical care.  Well, by the time they found he had colon cancer, it was too late.  Colon cancer can be very curable if caught early.  What a waste.  You can imagine how I felt having a cancer that is incurable and having such a tough go at it.  It made me very angry and sad.  I didn't even know the man, and I cried.  It was so sad when his 12 year old talked about her daddy being the best.

So, buck up and get one!  Obviously, you mean a lot to the people in your life, (and you were invited to take a 3 month trip out west, right?).  At certain ages, doctors suggest we get certain medical tests.  I think the American Cancer Society recommends 50 for a colonoscopy if no family history.

I am still too young for a mammogram, but I will get one early.  Now, that is supposed to be more painful (they squash your boob!)

Take care Steve.  A colonoscopy is not so bad at all.  You should feel nothing.  

Gotta catch up with the fam on the beach.  Best of luck to you!  Do it!  Who needs more than one cancer?  Especially if it is one that can be prevented and cured.  Gary is right!  And need I say anything about Trey's post?

Teds

[raegles]

Steve,

I have CML and my mother died of colon cancer.  There may not be a link between the two, but I have colonoscopy's more often than most.  The prep is never pleasant, but the test itself isn't bad at all.  Having watched my mother die from colon cancer, I can't stress enough how important this test is!  If people find the test objectionable the disease is pure hell.  You really owe it to yourself and those that care about you to do this.  Early detection can save your life.  It would be horrible to survive CML and then die of colon cancer.  It's just my opinion and you can do what you want, but if your doctor thinks it's something you should do, I hope you will think about it.

Good luck,

Steve

[CMLinATL]

I got CML when I was 38 and Breast Cancer when I was 42.  My oncologist says there is NO relation between the two!  Just really bad luck.  Why just colon cancer what about the million other types of cancer out there?  Sounds fishy to me.

[MomMom]

Steve,

I am just now catching up with all the chit chat on this forum. My husband's family has a genetic predisposition for colon cancer.  My hubby (64) has been getting a colonoscopy for many years.  His father had colon cancer, he lost sister to it and a brother, his only living sister is a survivor of it and my love has had precancerous polyps removed already. His father's doc is our neighbor and every time he saw him he asked if he had the test yet.  So here's the deal neither his sister or brother would have the colonoscopy done and it's too late now.  So for the sake of your family and your pals here, please, please go have it. I had one this year (had one polyp removed) and it is not bad at all. You won't remember a thing.

By the way.  Scare tactic time.  Colon cancer will spread to the liver and bone quickly if not treated and it's a nasty way to go.

Thank you for listening.  That's my sermon for today.

Kay

dx with CML 7/2008

[hannibellemo]

Goldfinger,

If you haven't read Trey's link yet you must because it is priceless! I send it to all my friend's when they tell me they've scheduled their colonoscopy. I took MoviPrep for mine (BTW they found my CML the same day I had mine - I was fasting anyway and it seemed like a good time to get all the tests done that they wanted to do to find out why my spleen was enlarged) and I have to say Dave Barry got it down cold! I have just one word for you, "Tucks".

My best friend is an ostomy nurse specialist and she's seen the worst! She bugged me all the time until I final gave in 7 years late. It's not bad, even the prep - it only lasts a few hours anyway. Never say never, Goldfinger! It wasn't as bad as my BMB and I was sedated - it was the recovery for the BMB that was the worst!

Pat

PS - According to Dave Barry it's not just a tube it's "17,000 feet of tube"!

[nadee546]

I am a cancer survivor three times before being diagnosed with CML. Mine was lung cancer---all stage 1 and surgically removed with no further treatment needed. I personally think I got the CML from all the follow up cat scans I needed to have done. Of course --no doctor will ever admit to this possibility--and what could I do anyway. Without the scans being done my cancer wouldn't have  been diagnosed until it was too late. Get the test done--its no big deal. We are not protected from anything just because we have CML.  Good luck.        Nadee

[judyann]

Hello Steve,

I read posts here almost daily and occasionally comment. When I read your post I knew immediately I had to respond.  No, the ocurrance of the cancers are unrelated, however, do not ignore the recommendation for a colonoscopy.  In 2001, after being treated for six months "hemmoroids" I was dx with colon cancer. A dx six months earlier would have been an easier journey.  In 2003, I was dx with a rare, benign brain tumor (acustic neuroma) resulting in total deafness and destroying my balance nerve on my left side.  I ignored the signs of the brain tumor for nearly seven months.  And, finally (I hope!) I was dx with CML after off-and-on excurciating collar bone pain for three months.  (I was told the pain was due to an A-typical type of arthritis.) My Mom has been dx and treated for colon cancer and breast cancer.  My Dad recently lost his battle to a recurrance of metastic melanoma.

One dx of cancer does not exempt anyone from a dx of another type of cancer.  I would never ignore a suggestion/recommendation to screen for tests or procedures.  Unforturantely, been there and done that!

JudyAnn

[chiocchi]

Just because you have cml doesn't mean you have an increase risk of getting any other cancer.maybe your doctor really thinks you should have a colo though. How old are you? my father had colon cancer and the surgery didn't have to happen if he had a colonoscopy sooner in his life. My husband's dad died of colon cancer.my husband goes faithfully for colonoscopy's as ordered by the doctors,they took out pre cancerous polyps at first,now he has been clear since.I have h of breast cancer from age of 40. I've had 2 colos since,all clear. don't worry about them sticking anything up your butt,you won't feel a thing!

[Tim76]

Steve,

I don't post often, but I read this forum just about every day. A lot of people have chimed in that they don't know of any relationship between CML and colon cancer or any other type of cancer. I don't either. I just wanted to say that I was diagnosed with CML in March, 2006 and I remember my oncologist saying it was " a little bump in the road". I have been blessed that Gleevec has worked for me and I don't have any real bad side effects. As far as colon cancer is concerned, I know a lot about that too. My wife, who was an RN, died from colon cancer in March, 2009 at 47 years old. It was diagnosed at Stage IV, when they had to rush her into surgery with a tumor that ruptured. I could write for hours about her 23 month long battle to try and stay alive for our three kids, but it's too scary to relive those memories. I just had my first colonoscopy in December, 2009. It really wasn't that bad. The prep can be "a little bump in the road", and you can't plan on going anywhere for the day. The procedure itself is not bad and like Trey said, the ability to fart in public and be encouraged to do so is great for any guy.

Tim

[Goldfinger]

Wow!!!! I never expected this!!!  Thanks for the replies and all the advice.

Also thanks Trey for posting the column about Dave Barry who is one of my favorites. Actually  my colon is over 30,000 ft long so I'm more at risk for something to go wrong.

Anyway   I'm going to take this issue a little more seriously now that I have had a chance to read everyones postings. Going to talk it over with my oncs NP who I have a really good relationship with. I'll listen to her advice and proceed from there.

Thanks again for the replies.  Hope everyone is doing well.

Steve

[gunner]

I had a colonoscopy several years ago (I think I am due for another one...). The doctor that I went to also specializes in acid reflux and stomach problems.

As I was prepped and almost ready to go, I asked the nurses if they used the same camera when going in from the front end as they did when going in from the back end. The next thing I remember was waking up in the recovery room...

[CallMeLucky]

Wow - I really would have wanted an answer to that question before passing out

[ADCARSON]

Teds...you are so right regarding your input for Steve.  There are so many preventive procedures now and the colonoscopy is NO big deal......take it from me...........mammagrams are more painful.

We owe it to ourselves, our freinds and family to take care of ourselves.  We already have one cancer that could not have been prevented (that we know of)  why take a chance on something else.

[td1961]

Hopefully, they do the input side first! Har! Otherwise, that would explain the strange aftertaste... Hee Hee  (couldn't resist!)

Tracy