Going off Coumadin for a colonoscopy (post was cut off)

Sorry to trouble you again, but your answer was cut off.

I have a titanium aorta valve and am on coumadin; other meds are dilantin, lipitor and cardura. Colon cancer has struck another member of my family and I want to have a colonoscopy but my Dr. tells me I must be off coumadin for 5 days prior to. I'm scared of having a stroke yet cannot sit-by and gamble that colon cancer will not hit me. My age is 61 and my valve was inserted in 1991. Recommendation please?
Thanks
Jim

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Jim,

The best way to handle this is to be admitted to the hospital for 2-3 days to receive heparin as your INR normalizes.  After your colonoscopy your coumadin can be resumed while still on the heparin so that there is always adequate anticoagulation.