Hello:
Thank you for taking my question. Could you provide a little insight into whether my gastroenteriologist is being excessive in the application of surveilence colonoscopies? Here is my situation: I am 53 yr healthy white male. My family history for colorectal cancer is only my paternal grandmother (diagnosed CC at 70). No other cancers at all on either side of the family except for a paternal uncle with liver cancer caused by end stage alcoholic cirrhosis. The Dr. is placing all his concern on my family history of polyps. Both my parents had several (4 or 5) adenomas but they were over their lifetimes, and neither even had a colonoscopy until age 60 (which would seem to rule out early hereditary colorectal cancer, in addition my father had 4 sibs with zero cases CRC even at advanced ages) My brother had 2 adenomas at 53 and no CRC. I had a clean sigmoidoscopy and barium enema at 40 at a company executive physical. At 50 when I decided to get a full colonoscopy and contacted this Dr., I told him my personal and family history. He said would do the colonoscopy and if clean, wait 5 years. The colonoscopy found 1 very small adenoma. Because of this he said wait 3 years and if clean would wait 5 years next time. This year (3 years later) he removed 1 more tiny adenoma, making only 2 and both of which he said very tiny with absolutely no worrisome features. Here is the question, he now says he want me to have colonoscopies at 18 month intervals for life! With my almost negative family history for actual cancer, only small low grade adenomas, isn't this survellience excessive? These tests are expensive! Thank you for your time.