This past week I got a belated but expected birthday gift: a colonoscopy. I turned 50 in December of last year and it didn't take long for my health insurance folks, who are very preventive conscious, reminded me of my age and the need to have this screening done.
I have heard all kinds of stories from people about what goes on before and after, mostly before, this screening is done. I have to say I was very nervous as the time approached: what will they find? Will it be good or bad? Will I have to get one again next year because of what they find? Sometimes, I get ahead of myself. We all do. We start thinking far beyond today to a time we have not even gotten to. Sometimes we wind ourselves up so much we lose perspective and panic about what might be rather than taking a day at a time.
So it was with me. I got my "night before prep" kit. I can see why people have anxiety over this part. I also understand the need to be 'close to a bathroom" once you start.
I arrived at the facility the next day again with much anxiety. I did my best to breath, meditate a little and pray as I approached my turn in "the operating suite." I made sure that while I prayed for myself, I offered up all the staff and those who would be caring for me and others that day. I met my CNA, Pat, who told me I would be receiving propafol...hmmm that sounds familiar. In 10 seconds I was off to dream land and then woke up out in the recovery area.
The doctor came in and gave the report with pictures no less, of finding one polyp. I was not sure how to react. I would have rather had none but I guess one was okay. Then doc gave me the statistics about colon cancer. These I got from the CDC web page:
-Colorectal cancer can be prevented by removing precancerous polyps (abnormal growths), which can be present in the colon for as many as 10 years before invasive cancer develops.
-When colorectal cancer is found early and treated, the 5-year relative survival rate is 90%. Because screening rates are low, less than 40% of colorectal cancers are found early.
-One U.S. clinical trial reported a 33% reduction in colorectal cancer deaths and a 20% reduction in colorectal cancer incidence among people offered an annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT).
The statistics speak for themselves. I have friends who have parents who died from this type of cancer. One of them without question will do what it takes to be sure she is screened regularly. Another knows that it runs in his family but for whatever reason has not even thought about scheduling a screening.
Whomever, you are and no matter what your family or personal history is, please take care of yourselves when the time comes to get a screening for colo-rectal cancer. Note the first statistic about when it is found early. Know your family history. Please take the time for yourself and your family to go through the screening process.
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