May
Well I lost my father about 7 years ago to bowel cancer; he was only 45 years old when he died. We've been told this is quite young and that all 3 of his children, myself included, should have tests for it as we get older. I was 15 at the time, now I'm 22, what age should I begin having tests done? Also if anyone knows, is the risk for me and my siblings of getting bowel cancer very high?
Answer:
I'd ask your doc, but overall you do need to begin sooner than most folks. He'll probably say something like age 30 and then every 3-4 years until you hit 40, when it would be yearly.
The reason for this is that, in spite of a lot of headlines to the contrary, it isn't known what causes most cancers. It's complex and includes genetics, environmental factors, immune system response, etc. But what IS known is that the younger a person is when they get adult cancers, the more likely it is that there's a strong genetic component. Your father, sadly, was very young to get this cancer.
However….this doesn't mean you'll get it and it's impossible to give odds. It just means you'd pay a bit more attention to the testing and symptoms than the average person.
Answer:
it is most unfortunate that u lost ur dad @ such a young age, just 45 years.
it need not be hereditary. but, if u people take same diet as ur dad did, it can't be ruled out.
constipation, unsuitable diet, odd hours of work timings, regular consumption of pizzas, deep friezed and deep fried chicken, meat/pork couched with masalas,least consumption of water, etc., are the contributing factors.
U may cross check with the above and shoot another question with full details to yahoo answers for a good samaritan to help u and all ur family out of ur predicament. with preventive care, good diet, u can skip bowel cancer, wherein the question of going in for any tests may not arise.
Answer:
I would ask your physician.
I would think around age 35 you might begin having a colonoscopy every 3 -5 years.
Answer:
Now would be a good time. Take the necessary tests at least once a year.