What is the maximum age for a man to have a screening colonoscopy?
My father is 83, and very fragile, with extreme mobility issues. His doctor suggested a colonoscopy simply because he’s never had one and he’s "over 50". The prep alone will be hell for him, as he’s diabetic, and the trips to the bathroom will put him at extreme risk for falling, as he can barely walk now. Is this really necessary? He has no symptoms or gastric problems.
Tagged with: Colonoscopy • extreme mobility • extreme risk • gastric problems • hell • mobility issues
Filed under: Colonoscopy
Denisedds (88)
I have been a colorectal nurse now for almost 5 years. I mean there is pros and cons here. You are viewing it the way I would .. basicly saying your father is weak, doesnt have the strength and is obviously up there in age.. at this point like you said..is this necessary? There are two different types of bowel preps as well but at the age that your father is, they more than likely would not give him this type of prep. My only suggestion would be if his physician deems this absolutely neccessary, possibly suggesting that your father have a barrium enema instead. He would still have to drink a little stuff, usually not as much as a normal colonoscopy but at least it would be a little easier for him to get through.
Is there any family history of colon cancer?
Good luck
well this is an ethical issue, so every doc will suggest colonoscopy…. Personally I feel its not that helpful coz he is not in a good shape now. U must think what benefit will he get even if colonoscopy comes out positive (god forbid), he won’t be fit to undergo surgery for cancer coz he seems not fit for a major operation. Besides, owing to the fact that he has no symptoms (most important symptom is alteration in bowel habit,i.e. alternating hard and liquid stools, dark/blood in stool)…
So, its upto him, u should let him decide if he can make his own decisions…
I think that you have answered your own question. Your father is frail. The cleansing prior to the treatment is hard on anyone. I’m 53 and it made me vomit and have diarrhea at the same time. I would hate for your father to go through it.
There is a thing called virtual colonoscopy, but I think it requires the clean-out, too.
Your father’s doctor seems relatively insensitive to your father’s condition. Is he? My father-in-law’s doctors choses all diagnoses from the "Top Five" conditions. FIN had to go to a specialist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment of his lung problem. My mother-in-law, on th other hand, was a nurse, had cancer twenty years ago, recovered and then overlooked all her symptoms of colon and other cancer until she couldn’t pass anything through her bowel. She had a big surgery to take out the main tumor and did not live very long.
What does your father think about this recommendation or does he care? I hope he isn’t to troubled by it.
Good luck with your Dad. My parents passed in ’90 and ’92. It is not an easy thing to be a care giver or make those medical decisions!
Given his current condition I’d lean towards "NO" but bryn261980 has the deciding question "is there a family history". If not then I wouldn’t do it at 83 years old.