Are You Too Old for Colon Cancer Screening?

Eighty" is the "new" fifty. Why? Many are in good health as natural and unnatural aging occurs.  This may be attributed to ongoing healthy lifestyle habits, good genes, as well as preventive screening.  In addition, early intervention and treatment of conditions found from preventive screening add additional healthy years.  Should preventive screening tests like colonoscopy be abandoned after 80 years of age?

Scientific studies report that one is more likely to die of something other than colon cancer after 80 years of life.  This may be interpreted to mean that at age 80, your last screening colonoscopy if positive for colon cancer, will really be a diagnosis you can live with until you die. In fact, the colonoscopy itself gets riskier with more complications as one gets older especially after 65.  Chronic conditions can potentially increase complications as well. Life expectancy is expected to decrease anyway in spite of the risk that cancer increases with age.

Though current guidelines are without an age limits, there is much controversy over whether colonoscopy after 80 is beneficial.  The risk of complications from colonoscopy as well as the prep and sedation get much higher after 65.  There is up to 75% higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation of the gut after 80.  Add more risk if chronic conditions like stroke or heart attack are part of the past medical history.

Much medical success and good health depend on you.  Individual assessment based on your medical history, physical exam and tests is key to obtaining the best outcome for you, regardless of "one size fits all" guidelines.  These guidelines are just that, a guide to help you and your doctor decide if you are too old for colon cancer screening via colonoscopy. 

Here's to making 100 the "new" fifty!

Best health!