My husband has did this test twice in the past few years. It was easy and painless for him. Wish I could do it but my family has a history of colon cancer so I have to go through a colonoscopy.

I am wondering even if negative if I could get a diagnostic colonoscopy later. I feel worried about this--it's been on my mind.

The occult blood test WAS the standard before colonoscopies began to be advised for virtually *everyone* -- and Medicare paid for them. I am ambivalent about colonoscopies in the same way I always doubted the value (to the patient) of routine mammograms for every woman; at least that has been scaled back.

It's a simple and cheap test. If no blood is found...and you have no knowledge of a problem...you can skip a routine colonoscopy. Do you have some *reason* to be worried?

I don't have a family history but I have slight IBS. Recently a neighbor was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer--no symptoms--no colonscopy--age 53. I'm 51 1/2. I realize that I should call my doctor but you guys are always very good voices of reason!

I think the Cologuard would be okay under the current Covid circumstances, especially if you're not at high-risk.

Have had it many times in my younger years. Now my doc says colonoscopy every 10 years.

my friends and I call the Cologaurd test. The “Shhpoopy test”!

If it was just me, I'd go for it. But I live with an elderly parent and I'm the only game in town. If something happens to me, there's nobody to care for my only parent.

Do I understand correctly that you are already scheduled for a colonoscopy, and are considering cancelling? If you're concerned about steps the facility is taking to mitigate Covid risk, call and ask them.

Good luck -- Our hospitals are open for scheduled surgeries again. From what I hear from friends and neighbors it sounds safe to get routine stuff taken care of. I wouldn't hesitate to go now -- a big change from two months ago.

Yes scheduled for end of June. Also have to find someone willing to pick me up.

Sleeperblues--I have a question about insurance. If you have to get a diagnostic colonoscopy, doesn't insurance cover diagnostic tests? I thought I would just be responsible for my copay. I looked at my insurance and it says $150 copay for outpatient surgery. Is this outpatient surgery? What about MRIs and other diagnostic tests. Just curious. I have bee blessed with pretty good health so far and don't have much experience with doctors/bills. However, I know I don't want an $11,000 bill.

Every insurance plan is different, but I would read the fine print or call your company.

Weighing risks takes effort and can be tricky. I would not put off a vital tool for discovering a treatable cancer in favor of worrying about Covid, which your medical providers are surely mitigating the risk of. Get the colonoscopy.

Annegriet when talking to the insurance company check if it will cover something called a facility charge. With all of the stand alone procedure places some have this as an extra fee. It should be covered but it is something to ask about. I have read about some insurance companies not paying it. The one time I have had one it was covered but others that I know had to pay it.

It may be covered as a diagnostic test but you may have to pay your deductible. Most preventative screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, bone scans) are paid at 100% with no out of pocket or deductible. As stated above, once you have an issue they are no longer considered screening.

I would do the colonoscopy. cologuard seems useless to me. BUT, I have history of Colon cancer in my family.

I did Cologuard last year, came back positive. They found two polyps with the colonoscopy. I am due for my next one now, thank you for the reminder!

Worked in the medical insurance industry for many years. Generally insurance companies will cover for diagnostic colonoscopies under your standard outpatient surgery benefit, whatever that might be. Screening colonoscopies are usually covered at 100% under the ACA rules. Of course there are always exceptions, some “grandfathered” plans have different benefits.

I have lost two dear friends to cancer that began in the colon; neither had ever had a colonoscopy. The chemo is especially brutal, according to my doctor, and then we lost them anyway. I have had two colonoscopies; the first found polyps; both covered by insurance. I would not hesitate to have a third if my doc ordered one.

I am not scared to get colonoscopy--my concern is getting it in the corona environment and bringing home virus to elderly relative. If I lived alone--I'd get it today! I really appreciate all of the input. You folks on the Kitchen Table are very kind and thoughtful.

Has anyone here on the KT EVER had a routine colonoscopy where *nothing* was found -- no 'probably benign' polyps to be collected and biopsied at additional cost?

Sleeperblues -- Is there a place I can find information supporting routine colonoscopies every few years for low- or no-risk people? Is a single 'first' or 'baseline' test always indicated?

Has anyone here on the KT EVER had a routine colonoscopy where *nothing* was found -- no 'probably benign' polyps to be collected and biopsied at additional cost?

Yes, both me and my husband. We were both told to come back in 10 years.

^^^^ my husband too

"Has anyone here on the KT EVER had a routine colonoscopy where *nothing* was found -- no 'probably benign' polyps to be collected and biopsied at additional cost?"

[Raises my hand] Yes, I have had two routine colonoscopies, many years apart, that had totally benign results. My doctor keeps reminding me that I am well overdue for another routine colonoscopy, but I am not at all eager to go through that prep again.

I've had two and both were normal. I did the 2nd without anaesthesia.

I have had one colonoscopy where there was nothing at all found, and I have had the Cologuard too. That test was negative, but I understand if you have polyps they are also undiscovered? Am I correct? I think I would go for the colonoscopy, just to be sure. Annegriet, I can understand your concern about your parent though.

My mother died from colon cancer, so I've always been faithful in my colonoscopies.

My first one found nothing, second one was five years later (because of the family history I didn't wait ten years) and found two benign polyps which were removed. Third one was three years later and found nothing. My next one can be either three years or five years, whichever I'm comfortable with, and I'm shooting for the three years. That will be next spring.

I'm pleased that so many had a colonoscopy with no polyp removals. That has not been my or my DH's experience. I've even had a lower bowl resection because a carpet polyp *might* have been cancerous. (I know, I know...if it had been...etc. I still wish I had researched this further before the major surgery...and subsequent bleed...and now-lifelong difficulty with elimimation.) You can dismiss my concerns as 'having an axe to grind', if you wish.

Thanks, mdln. I see that the second link is quick to say that routine colonoscopy is NOT recommended absent medical indications. I hope Annegreiet will read that, especiall about exactly HOW the occult blood testing is useful -- THREE samples, not just one -- and the incidence of false positives.

I'm not complaining about the use of colonoscopy where it is *warranted*. However, it seems to me that this and mammography are too often performed without much medical justification, and people have the tests based only on FOC (Fear of Cancer).