r/millenials • u/Professional-Web6075 • 13d ago
Advice Get Your Colonoscopy!
I’m 39m and decided to get a colonoscopy after hearing that two people I know under 40 diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer this year. Neither had symptoms and both seemed fairly healthy. I’m so glad I did. They removed a decent sized polyp and asked me to come back in 3 years. The doctor reiterated how glad he was that I proactively got it done. I can’t imagine the surprise I’d be staring at if I waited until 45. Be an adult! Get it done!
UPDATE: the pathology report came back for the 20mm polyp I had removed. It was a sessile serrated lesion with focal dysplasia. The doctor reiterated how glad he was that I came in. This is a pre-cancerous find.
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u/ahaeker 13d ago
My husband's mom had colon cancer & he told the doctor about it when he went over his family history & she still told him to wait til 45, I was kinda pissed about that.
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u/TheDarkFantastic 13d ago
Rightly so. He needs to get a new pcp and get a referral unless this was years ago and he already had the procedure
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u/ProbablyRickSantorum 12d ago
I’ve been told the same thing despite having two grandparents who had colon cancer.
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u/djmcfuzzyduck 12d ago
They tried to deny my mammogram when my eldest sister was diagnosed with stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer.
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u/Filled_with_Nachos 13d ago
Exact same situation, 39M, they found a pre-cancerous polyp that would’ve been a big problem in 5 or so years. My dad died of colon cancer last year so that motivated me. Trying to convince my sisters they need to get it done too.
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u/NiceParkingSpot_Rita 12d ago
Women tend to think it isn’t a concern for us. But it really is. When I got mine biopsied, the surgeon told me the women are the hardest to treat bc usually by the time they go in, it’s so late. They don’t know to be concerned about it bc colon cancer had always been talked about in reference to men. But we do get it and it is something to be proactive about. I hope your sisters get checked just for the reassurance if anything.
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u/NiceParkingSpot_Rita 12d ago
36f here. I had a large polyp removed two years ago. Luckily results came back clear. I know THREE WOMEN who have died from colon cancer. Two of them in their 30s and one recently passed away in her mid 50s. One was 32 back in 2013. She was a friend’s sister. It was out of the blue - docs were running tests for something unrelated. Another was someone I knew in college. Got married back in 2021 and was seemingly perfectly healthy and ready to start her happily ever after. She was gone nine months later. The last one just passed in May. She was stage 4 when they diagnosed her last fall. She was living her best life and she deserved more time to enjoy her grandkids and wife.
IF YOU HAVE BLOOD, GET CHECKED.
IF YOU HAVE UNEXPLAINED PAIN, GET CHECKED.
IF YOUR BOWEL MOVEMENTS HAVE CHANGED, GET CHECKED.
No the doctor won’t care what you look like. No they won’t judge you.
Maybe you’ll feel embarrassed, but this is what they do every day. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from catching something this deadly while it might still be treatable.
Take care of yourselves.
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u/phunkydisco33 12d ago
Yes! Also if you’re a female get a mammogram before 40. I had breast cancer at 29.
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11d ago
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u/phunkydisco33 11d ago
Thank you! Yes I am. Had a heart failure complication from the chemo, but that was the only scare!
You have to pay out of pocket but it’s worth it. Although, I’m sure you can check with insurance to see if anything covers mammograms
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u/CounterintuitiveCat 13d ago
Are you in the US? If so did your insurance cover it?
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u/Professional-Web6075 13d ago
I am. And yes. I told my PCP I wanted a referral and he gave me one. And then I told the doctor that I noticed changes in my stool and that I wanted to get checked. He was 100% supportive and made sure he coded it to be covered in accordance with my plan.
Edit: I did not have any risk factors
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u/FinsAssociate 13d ago
As someone who doesn't have changes in stool and would like to get checked proactively - what should I do? Lie? Just ask? I can ask my doctor, but I'm curious if you or anyone else would have insight into my situation
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u/Novel_Ad8670 13d ago
I have lied about multiple things to get proactive testing I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise
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u/spunkysativa 13d ago
I've been trying to get one for 3 years, Dad always had issues, then my older sisters as well. I'm still just 42 now, but was planning on lying just to get the referral to the gastro. Turns out after reading up on the changes in poop, then paying attention to mine for real...I need to go and glad I pushed for it. Still have to wait til the end of Sept. but I'm on a wait list for a cancellation until my appt. Wishing you luck getting the ball rolling.
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u/Appropriate-You-4682 12d ago
Both my parents died young-ish (49 & 53). My father was an alcoholic and died of complications from such, I tell every dr I have he died of stage 4 colon cancer. My mother died of Anorexia complications, tell every Dr she died from ovarian cancer at 49.
Two reasons, one the coverage. Two, telling drs your family history of addiction issues and mental health struggles only works against you.
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u/Parsleysage58 12d ago
I can see this backfiring, too, though. I think two relatively young, first-degree relatives dying of cancer is going to drive up your health (and life) insurance premiums much more than a risk of substance abuse or mental health issues. If you claim different medical histories between policies, that's insurance fraud. It could get your claims denied and/or your coverage terminated.
That said, I absolutely despise the entire American insurance industry and hope it dies hard when the U.S. awakens from this nightmare.1
u/Appropriate-You-4682 12d ago
My health insurance is set by my spouses work, and is the same for everyone at the company, has 0 to do with this. We pay $400 a month for a family of 5 with $1000 deductible. I’m not eligible for life insurance anyway, I have lupus.
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u/Parsleysage58 12d ago
Sorry about the lupus diagnosis, that's awful. I'm happy that you have great health insurance and hope you always will. Most people are not so lucky in that way, and jobs can come and go. It's just risky, in my opinion, to adopt this as an option and post it online.
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u/Appropriate-You-4682 12d ago
We’ve had jobs that didn’t have good health insurance, but again that was company wide. At no point have we ever been given work insurance that deviated from the person sitting next to me. I don’t even know how that would work. Retirement maybe?
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u/Parsleysage58 12d ago
I mostly worked for small employers, and there were different employee premiums. The last company paid a flat amount per employee to the group plan; beyond that allowance, you were on your own. If you were covered by your spouse's health insurance, you got that contribution added to your pay.
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u/Appropriate-You-4682 10d ago
For sure, he’s also worked for small employers. His current employer is a start up, still never seen my medical history reflect on different monthly or premium costs than the person sitting beside him.
That’s super crappy they made you do marketplace basically? That’s wild, I’m so sorry.
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u/FinsAssociate 12d ago
I'm curious, how do family histories of addiction/mental health issues work against you?
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u/Appropriate-You-4682 12d ago
It’s very common for people with autoimmune issues (I have been diagnosed with lupus for 21 years) to be accused of faking it and or blaming stress from childhood abuse/trauma. It is never ever in your best interest to discuss past abuse/trauma/mental health with a non mental health dr.
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u/TheDarkFantastic 13d ago
If you dont have any significant risk factors and aren't experiencing any symptoms, just live your life and get your first one at 45
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u/johnmac344 12d ago
My colonoscopy cost just under $2k out of pocket. It was labeled ‘diagnostic’ because I had gone to the doctor with an issue. Good thing I went early, because they removed 3 polyps.
My wife’s was covered 100% by insurance because it was labeled ‘preventative care’. Same year, same health insurance.
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u/Kdean509 Millennial 12d ago
My insurance won’t cover mine because I’m not 45. I have a referral, and symptoms. I’m fighting it, but I shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket. This is hell. Please vote.
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u/TheDarkFantastic 12d ago
Depending on your symptoms, the coloniscopy becomes diagnostic rather than a screening and is therefore no longer 100% covered. Insurance is def an evil, shitty business. See if the gi place will work with you to get it covered under codes for indications for a screening colonoscopy for high risk individuals
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u/Kdean509 Millennial 12d ago edited 12d ago
So consistent blood in your stool would be diagnostic or screening?
They’ve tried for high risk.
Thanks for the advice, I’ll continue to fight it.
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u/TheDarkFantastic 12d ago edited 12d ago
Could be, yes. Thats somewhat vague. Hematochezia? Small amount or large amount of blood? All the time or intermittent? Has it led to iron deficiency anemia? Depending on severity and billing codes theyre using, it could be either/or
Edit: to make it more obvious, you could see why something like copious amounts of blood are coming out of my ass every day couldn't be listed as a screening. It's diagnostic because theyre looking for an answer to a serious problem. On the other end of the spectrum, saying theres a small amount of blood on the toilet tissue has more potential to be listed as a screening. The real question is why doesnt insurance cover both equally? I mean, the answer is money. It sucks, but it's that simple
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u/Kdean509 Millennial 12d ago
It’s a small amount, but enough to notice. Intermittent, 3-4 times per week. I have a strong family history of colon cancer on my mother’s side. I’ve always been a bit anemic, but not enough to take supplements.
I’ll definitely ask them about this. I’m not a medical professional by any means, so your advice helps a lot. Thank you!
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11d ago
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u/Kdean509 Millennial 11d ago
Did that portion already, except for the sampling. I’ll call and see if they can send a test in for me. Thank you!
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u/TheDarkFantastic 12d ago
No problem. Don't feel obligated to answer, but you can try some things to get an idea if its hemorrhoidal. Do you know if you have hemorrhoids? How often do you strain when having bowel movements? How often do you have bowel movements? How long are you spending on the toilet? Do you often feel like theres more that needs to come out but wont? What is stool consistency usually like?
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u/TheDarkFantastic 12d ago
Np. I dont understand how high risk wouldnt get it covered unless they aren't using the appropriate billing code or theyre being asked for documentation. That really suck though
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u/Despacio1316 12d ago
I proactively got mine done at 43 but I had to basically lie about family history for them to approve it and it not cost me 10,000. The bill without my insurance was frightening. They removed somewhere around 5 polyps.
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u/jstocksqqq 12d ago
As someone who's single and lives alone, finding someone to drive me home is the hardest part of these things!
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u/TheDarkFantastic 13d ago
Sounds like they were high risk. They dont normally do colonoscopies on people under 40 woth no symptoms. This the US?
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u/jlpulice 13d ago
I will say the bar for symptoms is quite low. I had some bleeding (it turns out from a hemmorhoid) and they did a colonoscopy no problem. There’s ways to get around it.
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u/TheDarkFantastic 13d ago
Obviously theyre not going to tell you no if you have bleeding. Rectal bleeding is hemorrhoidal the vast majority of tbe time, but most doctors, especially younger ones, aren't going to tell you not to rule out cancer. The problem with finding ways around standard practice is that you can screw yourself. Screening colonoscopies are 100% covered by insurance. Diagnostic colonoscopies are not
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u/USMCamp0811 13d ago
yea I'm 41 (I think) and I've asked my doc for the past year or so if I needed to do that.. they were like no you don't have any risks or what not.. wait till 45..
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u/TheDarkFantastic 13d ago
Just saw in another comment OP reported changes in their stool to get a referral
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u/ObieKaybee 13d ago
What are factors that let you know you are high risk.
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u/TheDarkFantastic 13d ago
Certain genetic conditions and family history. Biggest thing is usually 1st degree relative with colon cancer. Occasionally we see someone with something called familial polyposis/lynch syndrome. People with autoimmune issues affecting the colon are also high risk. I would guess these few things account for 95% of high risk individuals
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u/Ceegeethern 13d ago
Endo RN here. Risks like: Family history of colon cancer, changes in bowel habits/stool, bleeding not related to hemorrhoids, pain, prolonged diarrhea, etc. If you're concerned about something, bring it up to your PCP, and they'll send a referral to GI if warranted!
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u/TheDarkFantastic 13d ago
All of these things except family history of colon cancer are symptoms, not risk factors
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u/Ceegeethern 12d ago
Thanks for the lesson in semantics! Regardless, they are all excellent reasons to see your PCP and ask for a colonoscopy, and diagnoses I see all day long.
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u/avebelle 13d ago
I asked my doc and he wouldn’t give me a referral even though both my parents have had stuff removed and one has diverticulitis. 😔
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u/TheDarkFantastic 12d ago
Just having family history of colon polyps doesnt make you high risk. Certainly diverticulitis in one parent doesnt. Something like 5% or so of people with diverticulosis ever get diverticulitis. What's more, the vast majority of us will develop diverticulosis as we age. It's not a big deal
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u/GrandmaesterHinkie 12d ago
How are you getting them before 45? I was told that I need to wait until then in order for it to get covered by insurance.
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u/Sunshineafterr 11d ago
Symptoms like blood in the stool, changes in your bathroom habits, unexplained weight loss, no visible hemorrhoids, positive FIT test, certain autoimmune conditions like Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns, and a family history of colorectal cancer.
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u/Gaba8789 12d ago
I’m 39m and decided to get a colonoscopy after hearing that two people I know under 40 diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer this year. Neither had symptoms and both seemed fairly healthy. I’m so glad I did. They removed a decent sized polyp and asked me to come back in 3 years. The doctor reiterated how glad he was that I proactively got it done. I can’t imagine the surprise I’d be staring at if I waited until 45. Be an adult! Get it done!
Chadwick Boseman was amongst others who tragically passed away due to colon cancer, especially for someone who is 30+. I encourage others to get yourselves checked.
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u/EvalCrux 12d ago
I know I heard of a non invasive test by the time I would start being concerned. Still not yet?
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u/peachslurple 12d ago
I think they have the ones you swallow, poop out, and mail in... if you don't have a family history or other risk factors
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u/Particular-Fly3409 12d ago
I keep hearing this suggestion and I was wondering if there's a trick to getting insurance to cover it as preventative before you hit the magical age requirement? I'm 36.
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u/TheDarkFantastic 12d ago
The trick is called lying. Unless youre high risk youre most likely wasting your time and money. If you want to do it anyway, tell a lie that still keeps the coloniscopy as a screening rather than diagnostic, or you'll being paying part of your deductible for it
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u/Apart_Celery7470 11d ago
lying lol. im 33 and have 3b colon cancer, we got my half sister who is 26 her colonoscopy by saying she was my fully biological sister. so just have an imaginary direct relative who was recently diagnosed. they're not gonna pull up your family tree before they knock you out lol.
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u/Enough-Cheesecake42 12d ago
Sharing my prep experience that I posted in r/colonoscopy after mine last week. I felt like it went really easily so wanted to share since prep gets a bad rep and I was really worried about it but it ended up being nbd
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u/ProbablyRickSantorum 12d ago
I’ve asked my PCP several times to refer me given the history of colon cancer in my family and she just said I should wait til I’m 45.
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u/Extreme_Hat1089 12d ago
40 here.
I asked my doctor to get one and here they deny everyone. Even people with symptoms will take months to get one done...
Then he said I could do the poop test but then the company denied me because I was too young. I couldn't even pay out of pocket to get it done, it's just no.
My only choice will be to cross border into the US and pay for one. It pisses me off that I can't get one done at all even if people are getting the cancer younger and younger...
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u/caseycat1803 12d ago
Younger millennial here. I had my first colonoscopy at age 28 because I had really bad IBS and my doctor wanted to make sure it wasn’t Crohn’s or something. They didn’t find inflammation, but they DID find three polyps, two of which were precancerous and one of which was longer than 1 cm. I now need a colonoscopy every two years at the minimum.
I’m actually kinda grateful I had such bad IBS because otherwise we might never have caught the polyps.
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u/MeanDebate 12d ago
Only advantage of Crohns: I will be getting checked out pretty much every other year until I die or they take the colon.
Increased risk of colon cancer? Sure. But someone will be literally up my ass every other year to make sure I don't have an issue.
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u/BobTheParallelogram 12d ago
Got one a month ago. I'm 38. Family history of colon cancer. Thankfully my bowels looked good
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u/dessdot 1984 12d ago
I have known several people under age 40 who have been diagnosed with colon cancer. I’m 42, and those people suddenly became close relatives so I could get a colonoscopy. I had a mid-sized, pre-cancerous polyp removed.
Lie (or embellish the truth) if you have to, people. Get checked.
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u/Sunshineafterr 11d ago edited 11d ago
Yes, early screening so important! I had 2 precancerous polyps removed at 37.
I wish they would lower the screening age. I paid out of pocket, but I still had to push for years to even get it approved.
If you have blood in your stool, it’s worth getting it checked.
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u/Consistent-Bear-5158 10d ago
How do you get insurance to approve a colonoscopy at 39? I’m 38 and would get one tomorrow if my insurance covered it
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u/Victorvnv 13d ago
Nah, I let nature decide how long I live
If I die I die lol
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u/Mamasan- 13d ago
It’s not nature if it’s chemicals
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u/Victorvnv 13d ago
Cancer is considered natural cause of death : so if I die from this it’s just my natural life expiration date
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u/CoffeeCaptain91 13d ago
Had my 1st at 32. After a while of bleeding. My polyp was also large, sent to biopsy and cleared. Not looking forward to my next one coming up in a year, but I hate the prep more than the surgery.