Why Your Family History Might Be a Good Reason to Get a Colonoscopy

Your family history can be a major indicator of how healthy you are—and when it comes to colon cancer, that’s no exception. If you have a parent, sibling, or child who has been diagnosed with colon cancer you are more likely to get it. For this reason, a colonoscopy can be recommended or suggested. When you know that your health may be influenced by genetics, visiting a colonoscopy doctor los angeles gives you to make more informed decisions on screening for, or preventing disease.

Family history can be a powerful determinant of health. This is especially so in colon cancer. If a parent, sibling or child has had colon cancer, then your risk of developing the disease is greater. That’s why a colonoscopy can be not only recommended, but necessary. And gaining some insight into the genetics of your health could influence you to make better choices about screening and prevention.

One of the most important risk factors is a family history of colon cancer. When cancer runs through generations, as it did with this woman’s and her father’s, it is a sign that inherited genetic mutations are at play. They could also predispose people to abnormal cell growth in the colon. And if you have a family history of cancer, a colonoscopy doctor may be the only way to catch polyps before they become cancer.

Doctors generally recommend beginning screening at 45. However, if you have particularly strong family history, you may need one earlier. If you have a parent or sibling with colorectal cancer diagnosed before age 60, guidelines recommend starting screening up to 10 years before that person was diagnosed. So if say, for example, your 11 father got diagnosed at age 50, then you need to start being screened with rectal exams and PSA when you’re 40.’ Colonoscopy, as a screening tool at an earlier age, permits physicians to identify cancer before people are symptomatic.

There is no such thing as only a test when it comes to colonoscopy; it’s a great preventive procedure. During the process, colonoscopy doctors near me can detect and remove polyps. Polyps are tiny growths that can over time become cancerous. By taking them out beforehand, the lifetime risk for cancer decreases by a lot. For those with a family history of colon cancer, this preventive measure is one of the greatest defenses against the cancer.

Even without a known family history, symptoms such as rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits or unexplained weight loss should not be ignored. But when they do appear in conjunction with a family history, the need for a colonoscopy is even stronger. Postponing testing could mean that cancer is spreading under the radar. The sooner it is caught, the better treatment works.

Genetics is just one piece of the story. The type of lifestyle also becomes a factor. Having an unhealthy diet low in fiber, high in red and processed meats or not being physically active also can increase your risk. Colon cancer is also associated with smoking and heavy drinking. They are, when factored together with a family history, more of a risk. One way to help mitigate that risk is through colonoscopy, which can detect problems early.

Some families have a certain genetic condition such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis. Under these circumstances, the odds of colon cancer occurring increase to almost one hundred percent in the absence of periodic surveillance. Those people typically have to begin getting colonoscopy screenings far sooner than the general population and more frequently. If your provider thinks one of these conditions might be the case, genetic counseling may also be recommended.

For those of average risk, the usual recommendation is for a colonoscopy every 10 years. But if you have a family history, the timetable changes. Colonoscopy doctors may suggest more frequent screening — every five years or even annually — if several family members have been affected. Sticking to the correct schedule is also very important when it comes to catching any issues early while they are still not dangerous.

When you tell your doctor your family history, they can help you design an accurate plan for you. It will also enable you to make informed choices. It will also enable you to make informed choices. 

It empowers you to make smart decisions. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you may be more likely to get tested. And then a colonoscopy is not only recommended, but life-saving.

It’s a simple dish to make, if you plan ahead. Doctors will often suggest a regimen to cleanse the bowel and empty the colon. They can therefore keep an eye on their view throughout. Getting ready may be unpleasant, but it’s short-lived. Peace of mind — that your colon is healthy — rocks. If you have any family history at all, this prep in particular could be the difference between prevention and finding out too late.

If there is a family history of colon cancer, have a conversation with your doctor about when to get a colonoscopy. Concentrate on gathering as much information about who was infected, when and how treatment was given. The more details you give about your symptoms, the better able your doctor will be to judge your risk.

A family history of colon cancer makes a colonoscopy not just routine — but necessary. In knowing your risks and doing something about it early, you set yourself up for the best chance of stopping cancer before it starts.