When I first became diagnosed with UC I diligently followed the standard medical treatment. I have really diviated from this in the last several years and achieved med-free healing with LTYG/Absorb etc. Recently I am in a flare from a nasty virus but am diligently working towards healing using supplements, diet, etc. A question continues to surface. Is is necessary to have a colonoscopy every three years as my previous GI suggested to watch for cancer? He assured me i'm at a high risk because of the UC and cautioned me if he ever detected any unusual cells via biopsy/colonoscopy I'd get my whole colon out, no questions. I no longer see him, but the trauma remains. I realize what a colonoscopy can introduce and do not want to "go there" simply out of fear, but I also do not want to be negligent. I appreciate your thoughts on this.

I feel exactly the same way. The last time I saw my GI he scared the life out of me, my last colonoscopy (18 months ago) revealed a number of polyps - he strongly suggested surgery - even using the words 'it's the cure for UC'. I was diagnosed with UC in 1995 and have had about 2.5 years of remission during the past 11 yrs. I have always been told that the risk of cancer increases significantly after the 8 - 10 yr mark. I've had numerous flares during the past 5 years and have been fairly diligent with my colonoscopies getting one every 18 months. I can't help but wonder if the whole trauma/prep for each colonoscopy has given me flares since my body hasn't had time to repair itself in between. After seeing my GI 18 months ago I bought Jini's book and started supplementing and seeing a homeopath. I am still scared and will continue with the colonoscopies but was very interested to read the probiotic section, it makes so much sense to repopulate with good bacteria after a scope - why doesn't anyone mention this?!
I know this doesn't answer your question, it's a great topic to introduce and I hope some more people will weigh in with their views. I hope it helps that you are not alone in your fears.
I am currently experiencing a flare up and am due to see my GI tomorrow - of course I'm expecting to come away with more fear of surgery and cancer.

This is a topic close to my heart. I was diag'ed with UC in 1987, followed the standard treatments for 15 years (which do nothing). Started on David Klein's treatments in 2001 (not followed 100% however). This helped me a lot but I still went to see GI doctor for regular checkups and scopes every year. In 2005 I had a reoccurance of UC and to verify the extent I had a scope which was inconclusive for dysplasia but the prep and scope caused me some serious problems. I got cured by using natural methods without any drugs, herbs, potions or other non-natural substances. Even my GI doctor was shocked that I was able to get cured without using his predisone prescription. That was my last contact with him eventhough he asked me to come back in 6 - 9 months for a re-scope. As long as I eat natural and nutricious food I feel that I can control my health and do not need any standard tests or treatments nor any herbs, pills or other products that are not consistent with human health. I asked David about this and he reassured me that I am clean inside now and I do not need to see my GI doctor again. I feel he is correct as he has been free of any UC symptoms for over 22 years himself as well as several 1000s of his patients. I suggest that you do what you feel is best for you. I think I rather eat right and be healthy than get these stupid tests which can only cause more problems. I feel comfortable with my decision.

My own personal conviction is that I will never submit to another colonoscopy. For myself, I don't think the benefits outweigh the risks.

This is first of all based on reading I have done on the fact that adequate sterilization techniques are not at this time available for colonoscopes. This was a subject in Jini's Straight From the Gut newsletter in the last several months.

My decision is also based on gut instinct. What is a colonoscopy going to tell me that my body can't tell me? Do I need a colonoscopy to tell me that my gut is aggravated? Not really! I'll have symptoms to tell me.

Finally, as Ian expressed very well, supporting wellness is more important than any medical test. There are no health guarantees for any of us in this life....no one's living forever at this point in time, right? Nevertheless, it makes perfect sense to me that eating wholesome, nutritious food, drinking pure water, getting enough rest, managing stress, and finding joy are all things that support wellness, which includes but is more than just the absence of disease.

Still, whether or not to have colonoscopies is a very personal decision and we're obviously not all going to come to identical decisions on the subject. Bearing that in mind, I think the most responsible course of action is to educate oneself on both pros and cons, digest and consider the information, consult your own inner barometer and then to thine own self be true.

Nicole