Just so people know how many exams you have to go through once a tumor has grown into your mucosa:
Stage I (polyp/tumor involved only mucosa and submucosa but not muscular)
Colonoscopy in 1 yr & then every 3-5 yr
Stages II & III (II: polyp/tumor invade the muscular and serosal layers)
Colonoscopy in 1 yr & then every 3-5 yr
Periodic CEA
Annual CT of chest, abdomen (± pelvis)
Stage IV
Individualize
Consider stage II/III strategy but more frequent CT scans
Sadly, my mom has stage IV and despite however people want to make us feel better with some anecdotal stories, stage IV CRC is a life-long battle and for most people, it is an uphill battle that you eventually will lose.
Due to her onset age is below 50, I have to get screened from the age of 40 as well, that is according to AU guidelines.
I already had one colonoscopy in 2017 just after my mom got diagnosed. I was clean then but where I am from, I am recommended to have colonoscopy at least once every 2 years. So the next one is long overdue, I will definitely try to get another endoscopy soon!
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