I'm concerned about my 83 year old father, he has blood on the toilet paper from time to time, but his doctor hasn’t found anything during his regular check up. I’m concerned that he might have colon cancer and wonder if a colonoscopy is appropriate for someone of his age?

Edith Mitchell, MD, FACP

Academic Title: Clinical Professor

Director, Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities
Program Leader, Gastrointestinal Oncology

Board Certifications:
Medical Oncology, Internal Medicine

Routine screening for colon cancer usually ends about age 75. However, if there is blood in the stool, an evaluation is important. There can be other causes of bleeding and the physician will select the best test to evaluate the problem.