Is it a problem for him to have a colonoscopy with the anesthesia? I have heard that it could accelerate his cognitive decline. And what happens if they find polyps or cancer requiring major surgery and or chemo? I can’t imagine what the colonoscopy prep will be like! Anyone with experience dealing with this?
You have to ask yourself, also, what surgery you would have with a positive on cancer of the bowel. If none, then I see no reason to do anything in testing if husband has dementia. I am 81. I recent had a lumpectomy for cancer of the breast. I refused removal of the nodes as I would not take chemo or radiation any more. Would, if there was spread, go to palliative care and then avail myself of the medical aid in dying bill in my state at the 6 month gate.
As far as the prep, no it isn't general anesthesia. It would be very very unusual to have it contribute to any mentation problems as it is very light and very brief with no intubtion.
I would be more worried about the chance of perforation of the bowel and death due to peritonitis and sepsis than I would worsening dementia.
This is for you to decide after discussing all of this with the MD. It may be much better just to watch him with a periodic scan of Abdominal area would be my thinking. But for discussion with your own medical team.
Please see the 16 responses you got on that thread.
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/my-lo-with-mid-stage-alzheimers-just-received-an-abnormal-stool-test-reading-is-there-a-downside-to--487976.htm