I'm 51 years old and and over eleven years post-surgery and my j-pouch has (thankfully!) been almost completely trouble-free all these years. While I was very faithful in getting regular colonoscopies during all my years with colitis, I've become lax in the years since surgery and haven't been scoped in probably seven or eight years.
Here's my question - how important is it to get an endoscopy every year when you've had a total colectomy? I know I only have a very thin cuff of colon material, so am I still at an elevated risk of colon cancer, due to age and past colitis struggle? Or is it really minimal at this point, with so little colon remaining?
I realize the safest answer is obviously to do it every year. But in not doing so, am I taking a huge risk or not really?
I also realize none of you will be giving me actual medical advice, and I should talk to my doctor, but he (as he should) pretty much just says I should do it yearly and doesn't drill down too much on odds, etc.
Thank you!