Hi, I was diagnosed with chronic severe ulcerative colitis at age 40 by Dr. William Tremaine at the Mayo Clinic in 1996. I was so ill and had been hospitalized twice before my doctor referred me to him. I was near having to have a colectomy but Dr. Tremaine said he "wanted to try one more thing" and try to avert the life changing surgery. I have been on the lowest dose of azathioprine (Imuran) for 29 years. I have some minor side effects that just starting appearing in the last year such as some skin cancer which was taken care of. I have lived in Colorado, Iowa, and now Kansas and nearly every GI doc suggested that I have a complete colectomy because the further you get from the date of your original diagnosis the chances of getting colon cancer increase. I have no family history of colon cancer and for the past 29 years I have had maybe one flare of just cramping and a bit of diarrhea - probably caused by what I had eaten. This year, Nov 2023, I had a precancerous polyp and the GI doc said I should have a colectomy. I have decided I would rather keep my colon as the colitis is well managed with my medication and diet. I have informed my GI doc that I do not wish to take on that huge lifestyle change at age 69. I am now scheduled for annual colonoscopies as well as the usual twice a year liver function blood tests. It is a difficult decision but one I have had time to discuss with others who have had this type of surgery. We all must make our own decisions but we have to remember that our doctors are giving us information based on present protocol and that they mean well. I do agree with the others who have posted getting a second, third, or perhaps a fourth opinion because this is a huge and life changing surgery. Communicating with your GI doc your questions and concerns is a must. Let him/her know what your goals are for your life. I am not a doctor but I am an adult who has been managing my severe chronic ulcerative colitis and asking my GI doc to help me reach my goal of keeping my colon. I wish you the best whatever your decision ends up being.