Too young to screen for colon cancer?

  I am a very healthy, soon to be 30 year old male.  My father passed away due to colon cancer in May 1997.  Now knowing I have a hereditary risk of the disease, and having learned much about it; I am now considering going through a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy.  I have 2 questions regarding this matter.
  Firstly, am I too young to be concerned about this?  My father had no idea he had the disease until there was blood in his stool (he was 58 at the time).  It was too late at that point.  I've noticed I might have some of the symptoms he had.  I often have stomach discomfort, either dull or sharp pains.  It seems I go to the bathroom way too often; often with "no result."  Sometimes when I exercise hard, the stomach pain is excruciating. I go through stages of fatigue and having little appetite.   At the risk of sounding like a hypochondriac, should I be screened?
  Secondly, just for information, what is the likelihood my health insurance (PPO) would cover the screening procedure?
  I have gone through a lot of remorse in not being able to help my dad out in detecting his disease early, ... anyway, I would really appreciate your advice.  Thank you sincerely.
Dear Jim,
In patients whose parents or siblings have had colon cancer prior to the age of 60 and who are asymptomatic, it is generally
accepted to begin screening colonoscopy about ten years prior to the age of diagnosis of the index case (in your case ten years
prior to your father's diagnosis; about age 48). On the other hand, if symptoms are present an evaluation should be performed
and testing done as clinically indicated. Given the symptoms that you described, you may benefit from a sigmoidoscopy at this
time. I do not believe that any insurance company would cover a screening colonoscopy at this time, but a flexible
sigmoidoscopy done for symptoms would most likely be covered. Some insurance companies will never cover screening
colonoscopy for family history of colon cancer. Others will now cover screening colonoscopy for this indication.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or
consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you wish to be seen at our institution, please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physician's Office and make an
appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: colon cancer screening