Anyone have to undergo colonoscopy plus endocosopy prior to radiation?

@jimsal, how are you doing? Did you have further testing as you prepare for radiation?

@jimsal
I can pass on my experience with this regarding colonoscopy. I went to UFHPTI and my R/O said their policy on colonoscopy (elective on going tests) was you had to have one in the last 3 years. Not because they were looking for something but that the colon is going to get damaged during radiation and have an elective colonoscopy with a couple of years after radiation would add risk of colon being damaged by colonoscopy because is very irritated and could have damage form radiation.

Now that is me and the policy of UFHPTI not me commenting on me being a medical expert or describing the reason for your pre test they want to do. Ask they why the test. Only they know your full medical and mental health history and have examined you no one on MCC has that information to tell you if the tests are appropriate for you and why they want to do them.

Find that out by being blunt with them and thus get the information you need to make a decision from the medical information you get back from your doctors.

One poster on MCC said never heard of doing colonoscopy prior to radiation treatments. But if you go to UHFPTI it is a common requirement based on the radiation damage to colon precaution. They don't want you having an elective (on going scheduled) colonoscopies for a couple of years after radiation.

It is the elective ones they are trying to address not an emergency ones. Do some medical intuitions require colonoscopies prior to treatment, Yes. Find out why your institution wants certain tests done prior to your radiation treatments'.

I had radiation proctitis following 44 IMRT treatments and had two colonoscopies and an endoscopy afterward to suggest treatments. A general caveat I have learned since then is not to have a colonoscopy AFTER radiation for a period of six months to allow healing before shoving a foreign object inside you. Just a note.