I’m a bit of a broken record on the topic, as a quick search will turn up. I was inspired to send this reminder because colon cancer claimed the life of someone else I know a couple days ago. So, neither mundane nor pointless but there’s no better spot for it.
He was one of the “lucky” ones. His first diagnosis and surgery were 8+ years ago; it returned a year or so after that, and he’s been in some form or another of chemotherapy nonstop since then. It bought him quite a bit more time than expected, obviously.
In addition to our own late Maggie the Ocelot, I know of one other person who died of colon cancer that hit earlier than the current recommended screening age (50+). But in general, screening at 50 or so will save lives.
The reason I’m an evangelist on the topic is that the one I had as a “while we’re at it” when I had an upper GI, they discovered some polyps that would have caused quite a bit of trouble had they been left alone for a couple more years.
Good advice. I’ve known too many who might have lived, and lived well, if they’ve not took the attitude of “I don’t go to doctors unless I’m in bad pain”.
Great feeling getting a screening and hearing you’re good to go. Even with that, the unsettling feeling of “OK, I’m good now, but what if something ill brews inside me a month after I walk out” pervades. The good part of paranoia: Keeps you honest for the need for regular screenings.
I’m having a colonoscopy later this week. As an Ulcerative Colitis sufferer, it is indicated every two years. It is a very small price to pay to stay alive. If you are over 50, definitely do it.
Just had mine done back in September (previous one was 7 years ago). Had it done in the hospital though because I was admitted for internal bleeding and they knew it was in my digestive track. So they did the scope in my throat and when that came back okay, they did the colonoscopy.
Came back fine and they said I’m not due again for 10 years.
Oh–the bleeding had been caused by a reaction with my blood thinners and some antibiotics I was given for poison ivy. I lost 2 pints of blood. Somehow it affected my roids (which were banded 7 years ago) and my stools were soaking up all the blood.
I endorse your evangelizing. I had my first screening last year and altho given a clean bill, was recommended to return in 5 years instead of the standard 10. You bet I will do it. Fortunately, I have not known anyone suffering from colon cancer.
If I may be so bold, to ride the coattails of this thread: get your skin cancer screening. Just schedule it with a dermatologist when you schedule your colon cancer screening. Done! I had a small melanoma removed about 15 years ago - I was walking around with a time bomb in my skin unawares of the risks. Now I go annually. Let a trained dermatologist do the exam (not your GP/PCP). A good dermatologist can identify any risks a lot better than you can. Thx
My doctor has me on the colonoscopy every 2 years cycle. Plus I have twice a year PSA testing due to a prevalence of cancer in my family. Everything has been clean so far.
I’m supposed to have a colonoscopy soon (where I live, “soon” usually means you spend many months on a waiting list, but yeah.) I’m a bit younger than the suggested age, but I have digestion problems and there’s a family history of colon problems.
A couple of years ago the American Cancer Society said that for people at average risk, screening for colon cancer should start at age 45. Don’t know a person determines their level of cancer risk, but it seems like the smart thing for just about everyone would be to broach the subject with your doctor when you turn 45; they may recommend you start now or wait until 50.
I have a friend who died at 35 from colon cancer. It was a long and sad battle.
I can’t wrap my head around it when people (namely, my dad) tell me they don’t want to bother with a colonoscopy because the prep is annoying.
Like, jesus dude…did you not notice the YEARS of PAIN and SUFFERING my friend went through after being diagnosed too late to save her? A day of sitting on the pot is a very very small price to pay.
I had a friend who died in her forties due to colon cancer. It was horrible.
Due to my family history, I started scans in my early forties. They found pre-cancerous polyps right out of the gate. I am on a repeat every 3 years schedule at this point.
Yep - an important reminder for people. I had a colonoscopy last month where they removed several polyps - 2 of which they described as pre-cancerous. So definitely glad I had it done.
As another hidden benefit, I now drive my wife nuts by describing myself as a pre-cancer survivor. I’m still trying to decide what color ribbon goes with that.
Yep - that might have helped our Maggie the Ocelot (I forget how old she was at diagnosis) and quite possible the one other person I know of (who died at about age 49). I don’t know if the insurance companies have bought into it yet in the US; it might be tough to get a screening scope at 45. Cologard is certainly cheaper / easier but I have heard mixed recommendations: 1) OK for everyone (of average risk) vs 2) real scope first then Cologard (also for those of average risk, which I ain’t).
Tell your dad that it IS possible to die of embarassment.
The prep: yeah, it’s annoying. If it’s the most annoying thing he’s ever experienced, then you as his offspring were NOT doing your job during your teenage years :D. I’ve had norovirus (or something that behaved exactly like it) and the prep is nowhere near as bad as the noro effects.
The procedure is undignified as hell - but there’s absolutely no reason for him to remember anything beyond an IV stick and being wheeled into a room with a fair bit of equipment that he won’t see 'cuz he’s not looking that way.
So, smack your father upside the head for me.
or PM me his address and I’ll drive there and do it.
Or post it here and we’ll ALL go there and do it.
I was, like pretty much everyone on the planet, grossed out about the concept of the procedure. But I (wo)manned up and went through with it. Neither my primary care doctor, nor the gastro (seen for upper GI issues that turned out to be a drug side effect) suggested it; I had actually asked the primary care doc for some names of gastros before the stomach issues, but was in no rush. And thank Og I asked the gastro if we could do the exit as well as the entry since I was gonna be there anyway. He literally said “I wouldn’t have wanted to see you go 5 years with those polyps”. I do hope they did the upper portion of it first :::: coprophagic grin ::::
Please, oh please, get that first one done at age 50, or even sooner. I have an acquaintance who has been through three years of hell because at her initial screening, they found Stage IV cancer. She is still kicking it, I am very happy to say, but it was close for her several times. She’s a fighter. And they found it on her initial screening.
I actually have had a screening myself, and I got it at 35. It was a couple years after my friend died and I was having long-term poop issues (no solid stool for like 6 months) and I too had to request a colonoscopy.
And I was a big girl and I did it and it was FINE. Even the drink that everyone says is the WORST THING EVER…apparently they’ve changed that drink over the years because literally it was just powdered Mirilax in Gatorade. WTF whiny people?!
Turns out that whatever I had going on with my poops was cured by a system flush and reset. The docs found no problems during the scan, and after that my poops went back to normal.
Anyway, I’ve had one so I know of what I speak. Dad’s 68 so he’s had a few and he’s a big damn baby about it. Ugh.