i will be 98 on 9/4/2026. should i get a colonoscopy?

@misseygirl
I had my last colonoscopy at 72.

What would you do if they found something? The chance of perforation is too great Quality of life not quantity

No, the risks are too much at your age.

Have you seen any blood on your stool? Doctor done any tests for occult blood?

Dear Friend, Your birthday is the same as mine, 9/4. Here's my recent experience: I'm 82; my poops also changed from normal to various types of watery. After trial elimination of black beans and blueberries, no significant change, so I visited my gastroenterologist here in San Francisco, with whom I've had two previous colonoscopies. (Re. watery poops I'm pretty sure he said these kinds of changes can simply be related to age.) Because I was also having some digestion issues, he did endoscopy and colonoscopy both at the same time. My entire system is fine. He recommended adding bulking agent such as psyllium or ground flax seeds twice a day. The ground flax seed has helped. I've also tried to get probiotics from fermented foods such as yogurt, pickles, fermented juices. My situation changed for the better. If I were 98 I think I wouldn't bother with a colonoscopy, but would try other approaches such as mentioned above, to improve digestion & elimination. Good health to you! And, yes, blessings!

They only ask for the test when you are over 80 for a specific reason or issue- it's not considered a routine test at advanced age. The loose bowels are more likely from a combo of medications taken daily is my guess.

@labrown I was told the same thing .

No medical doctor will perform a colonoscopy on anyone over the age of about 85, let alone at 98. I believe there is a blood test that will give you the answer you're looking for.

Cologard plus is out. This is very effective. My primary doctor told me colonoscopies are not recommended past 75.
Medicare pays for it

Cologuard is an excellent test for abnormal DNA and blood DNA. It's primarily a test for cancer, though would detect loss of blood in the intestinal tract. It doesn't analyse absorption issues. It can't tell a patient if they have IBS, Crohn's or any issue that doesn't bleed. Inflammation could lead to a false positive with Crohn's; Cologuard wouldn't be used in a patient known to have Crohn's.
The new Cologuard test has greater accuracy and more time before degradation of the sample.
Though this patient has already sent a sample, they aren't looking for blood , but for malabsorption issues, changes in the intestinal epithelium.
While some physicians don't recommend colonoscopies after a certain age and some gastroenterologist won't perform colonoscopies after a certain (varying age), there are gastroenterologist who do perform endoscopies in patients late in age when it is best for the patient.
The gastroenterologist I see has a patient (my neighbor 93) who has a genetic disposition for fast growing polyps. Not only do you have to have way of detecting them (pill cams are fine) but you have to do an endoscopy to remove them. Without an endoscopy for polyps this patient would have complete intestinal blockage.
It takes gentleness, skill and fine equipment to do this properly in those with friable intestinal lining.

At your age, even if you had a cancerous growth, it would probably grow too slowly to harm you.