Anyone have or had a relative with colon cancer who can't go through treatment?

Why not a CAT scan to see if there are masses in the abdomen if no colonoscopy? It helps to know what you are up against, and it would help to have a diagnosis so Hospice could help when its time (the one we use has help for the family, a bathing aide for mthr, nurse visits once a week, and so much love!).

My mother had colon cancer and had the surgery. She did not have to have a bag - thank God. But, she still died within 5 years. My mom refused any chemo or radiation and just died naturally. She did not want the years she had left to be filled with drugs and I respected her for that.

If you suspect cancer, then they can put him out for the colonscopy. I have to have one every 5 years due to my mom having colon cancer. I always am put out. I would not do it any other way I had a doctor at Kaiser in San Diego try to do the colonscopy without being put out and I grabbed his coat and said - you either put me out, or I am out of here. I got up, and walked out. I found a doctor who would do it the right way. I was clear. The problem I see with your dad having this done is the PreP.. It is horrible. God Bless and keep us informed

My dad died of pneumonia from complications of colon cancer. He opted for treatment & I oversaw his care. He died with a little better than 1 year after beginning the treatment.
I, being a R.N., honored his decision.
Another friend of ours was diagnosed at the same time with the same thing & opted for no treatment & lived for another 18 years.

There is no fast, clear cut way through all of this.

Depending on his age, & from what you say about his weight loss. Why subject him to the colonoscopy? It is a difficult procedure to go through when you ok, let alone ill. We do have different way of diagnosing this today, other than a colonoscopy, which is a big a big $ maker.
My husband suffers from colon ca. also, among other things. I caught it right away & he will not die from colon ca. No one has to die from colon ca. today if caught in time.
Please feel free to contact me privately if you wish.

Hi My3, unless the GI who'd do the colonoscope doesn't feel he should have one, then I'd try and get him to go ahead with it. As GMA L said above, the prep is way worse than the procedure. At any rate, IMHO, the colonoscope and prep, a day and a half of "not fun" could lead to some valuable information to get his gut feeling better. They can remove polyps while there, (they did with me, before they turned cancerous), and grab biopsies too, get you a definitive answer about cancer or not. My worry, what if it is just a bad case of Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's? Both can be treated and made much less severe with just oral meds, avoiding certain foods, some B-12 injections, avoiding stress, a little exercise, etc. I was losing weight fast, running to the potty around the clock, as many as 50 times in 24 hours, bloody, ...by the time I agreed to the colonoscope, which, wasn't that bad after all. :-) Careful management by my Doc, and I've gone from 26 pills a day and 2 injections a week, blood draws every couple of weeks and very ill, to 6 pills a day one injection every 2 weeks, blood draw/office call once a year. I feel pretty good now. If I do begin to flare again, I know what's up, what to do, and catch it early and tamp it out before it gets out of hand.

The prep for a virtual colonoscopy is similar to the regular kind because the gut has to be clean for abnormalities to be seen. The radiologist also has to pump air into the colon to expand it for a good view which can cause discomfort. The disadvantage being that biopsies can not be taken so if abnormalities have been seen the standard procedure has to be followed to obtain a definite diagnosis. the other option is a CT scan which has little prep. the patient drinks some barium the night before and immediately preceeding the procedure. The CT scan involves lying flat for a few minutes and being pushed into a large donut shaped machine which is big enough not to be restrictive. The patient must be able to follow simple instructions like being told when to hold their breath
Once the diagnosis is made the decisions about treatment need to be made.
If a decision has been made ahead of time there is little point in putting the patient through investigations. The palliative and/or hospice care decisions will not change. The patient's quality of life is the primary consideration.

Has the doctor ruled out other conditions such as a parasite? My son who has autism had a bout of diarrhea and vomiting that lasted 6 weeks. He lost over 20 pounds. It would have been very difficult to have him undergo a colonoscopy. The doctor did numerous stool cultures and the parasite dientameoba fragiilis was found. A week of antibiotics and my son was all better.

Blessings to you both. It's hard to watch your dad go downhill like this but the doctor is likely right.

My mom showed symptoms of colon cancer but refused even a colonoscopy because she knew she couldn't undergo treatment even if they found cancer

. I went along with her wishes, telling her that I'd do whatever she wanted to do (or not do). She lived another 8 years though in the last years she needed substantial pain relief in a nursing home and she had hospice care for her last months.

Still, I believe she lived longer than she would have if she'd had surgery. I do think that surgery would have killed her or at least set her back cognitively much faster than the route she chose.

My sympathy to you. I know how hard this is.
Carol

It just might be that he doesn't have cancer. The prep for the colonoscopy is worse than the procedure itself. There is more than one way to do a colonoscopy these days. Talk with the doctor about how a virtual colonoscopy might be an option. To learn more about this procedure, check this link out: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/diagnostic-tests/virtual-colonoscopy/Pages/diagnostic-test.aspx
My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer a year and a half ago. Once we had the diagnosis, he was given the option of treatment of the cancer or treatment of himself (non-chemo or radiation). Ultimately he chose the chemo/radiation route. But the doctor said that if he did not want to do that, he would make sure that my husband would be treated for pain and other side effects and would be made as comfortable as possible. Healthyaging has given some good advice, which we looked into before we decided on the chemo approach. Hope this helps you with this decision.

Hi, this must be very hard on you, and you must be a very good daughter! What other tests have been done, and what diseases have been eliminated? best wishes for him and for you.

Thank you for your question. I need some clarification. Is your father refusing a colonoscopy? If so, there is a blood test that can help diagnose colon cancer. From your description, it sounds like your dad does not want treatment, if cancer is detected. I believe that it is very important to determine the root cause of your dad's symptoms (diagnosis). A diagnosis will help a physician properly care for your dad. If your dad has cancer, he can make the final decision regarding the best treatment for him. There are alternatives to chemotherapy. There are care and comfort strategies to improve your dad's quality of life, while he is here. If your dad has a diagnosis of cancer, or a chronic condition, you can ask your dad's Dr. about Palliative care from a local Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, or Hospice, if appropriate. Your dad does not need to be on chemo, etc. to receive these services. Palliative care professionals can provide the kind of care that will help maximize your dad's comfort. Please encourage your dad to reach out for supports, and be proactive with his care, so he can have the best quality of life. All the best to you and your family during this challenging time.