Colonoscopy

[TXT]

This thread goes out to all who are over 40. Have any of you had this procedure? If you haven't, why not? One of the most preventable types of cancer is colon cancer and it is due to this procedure. Most doctors will say you can wait until you're 50. IMO that's too late especially if your family has a history of cancer of any form. I will be 46 next month and have already had two because my family has a history of cancer. Each time they found a polyp. My mother was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2000. She died last October at the age of 72. On several occasions after she was diagnosed, she said to me that she wished she'd gotten tested a few years earlier. She might still be around today. The worst part of the procedure is the prep for it because your colon has to be clean. What I have done both times is have the procedure scheduled for a Monday morning and just spend Sunday prepping for it. It's outpatient so you'll only miss a day of work. There are several options you'll have as far the prep for it goes and your doctor can advise you of those. You're asleep during the procedure so you won't remember a thing. If the thought of someone sliding a 5' tube up your butt freaks you out, GET OVER IT! If your test is clean, chances are you won't need another one for 10 years. Basically what it boils down to is about a days time of discomfort every 5-10 years. The potential consequences for not being tested can be deadly. Don't wait for your doctor to suggest this. Take the bull by the horns and tell your doctor you want this done. Health insurance should pay for most if not all of it and if they don't call your insurance company and complain about it because they should. You've heard the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, a colonoscopy is a POUND of prevention! Get tested.

[illiniballfan112]

Great thread. I'm 28 and my dad was diagnosed when he was 52. He had the "largest tumor" the doctors ever saw...the size of a softball on his colon. He didn't go to get checked out until after it was too painful to bear, even though my mom was telling him to go for a colonoscopy for 5 years beforehand.

anyways, he's still going 4 years later because he's a fighter, but seeing what he went through is scary. he's in pain everyday. he has two ostomy bags of which on any given day there's probably a 50% chance of one of them breaking causing some very embarassing moments for him. he's had 5 surgery's and not one of them was anything close to enjoyable. He's spent half of the last 4 years on chemo, and he's living his life knowing he's going to die because of Colon Cancer. Oh, and as a result of his colonostomy, he could no longer get erections, meaning no sex or masturbation for the rest of his life.

All because he never got himself checked out. I don't know about you guys, but I'm going when i'm 35 even if i have to pay for the test cash.

DONT IGNORE THIS!!

[RAINMAKER]

I agree wholeheartedly with TXT and Illiniballfan112 that you should most definitely get a colonoscopy if you are 50 or older; and if your family has a history of cancer you should ask your doctor about having one sooner. I waited until I was 52 until I had my first colonoscopy; fortunately they found no polyps, so I don't have to have another one for at least five more years. If they do find polyps, they can remove them during the colonoscopy. My doctor told me that polyps are the first stage of possibly getting colon cancer. If they don't find polyps, you are probably safe for at least 5 to 10 years, but you should still get regular physicals and follow your doctor's advice. If they do find polyps, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have colon cancer; it just means that your chances of getting it are higher and you need to monitor your health more closely and get checked more often. Like TXT said, the procedure itself is a snap; it's the preparation for it that's a bit of a hassle. Like he said, there are several options for the preparation; check with your doctor to see what he or she recommends. Whatever you do, please don't put off having a colonoscopy just because it seems unpleasant or uncomfortable. It really isn't a big deal to undergo the procedure, and it is most definitely worth it to save your live.

[Bravo]

If I can do it, anybody can do it. At the ripe old age of 40 they found a few
polyps and removed them for testing. All the findings were negative and because
they were removed so early and I'm just a young buck I won't have to go back
until I'm 45. I wasn't too hip about having it done, but knew it was something
that needed to be accomplished. The procedure wasn't that big of a deal, I even
woke up during the middle of it and watched it all on the big screen. I now know
myself from the a**hole out. If it is that time in your life, "get er done", you're
better being safe now than sorry later.

[cujo66]

I'm forty and am going for a check up next month, at which time the Doc will probibly say, "It's time." Since he was bringing it up when I was 37. My wife is big on having it done since her father died in his mid 50's from colon cancer. I keep trying to tell her, my family has a history of heart disease, not cancer.
I'll have it done, just for the piece of mind. I just got life insurance, and the blood work came back normal, my LDL cholesterol is 84 and my blood pressure is 120/72. It feels good to know I'm 40 with the body of 38 1/2 year old.

[TXT]

As long as we're discussing that region, I'd like to bring up another type of very preventable cancer if detected early and that is prostate cancers. Guys, get yourself checked if you're 40 or older. In the medical profession, it is called a digital rectal exam. In layman's terms its the old finger up your butt exam. Takes less than 10 seconds for your doctor to perform this but the information it provides can save your life. Again if the thought of this freaks you out and you've been putting it off, get over it and get checked. I get checked every year and I will continue to do so. I've got a lovely wife and a 17 year old daughter and I want to be around for a long time so I can give my daughter away in marriage, play with my future grand-children and grow old gracefully with my wife.

[cujo66]

Yeah I forgot to mention that the Doc has his finger in my butt when he was bringing getting the Colonoscopy in a few years.

I imagine he'll "violate" me again next month.

[gYmgIrL]

Hi! I'm 22 and I'm getting one this year. They dont know if its genetic but my nan, grandad and great granda had it and my uncle just died of it.

I'm certainly not taking any risks, and apparently if you have regular check ups you will never die of bowel cancer

not a fun procedure i know, but with claims like that, how could you not

[Gman1524]

Originally Posted by gYmgIrL

Hi! I'm 22 and I'm getting one this year.

Yes, I am glad to see that you've allowed Dr. Gman to do the procedure. Now turn around.




















Seriously, I'm afraid to get it done.

[RAINMAKER]

Dr. G-man,

Please make sure that you have your claws retracted if you are going to stick your paws up someone's butt. LOL!!! Thanks for another of your many great cat pics. In all seriousness though, please don't put off having a colonoscopy just because you're afraid of having the procedure. Like several of us have mentioned, the procedure itself is pretty much a snap; it's the preparation that's a little uncomfortable and a bit of a hassle. But please don't let that stop you. They give you an anesthetic before they start the colonoscopy, and most people sleep right through the entire procedure, and wake up later in the recovery room. A few people, like Bravo mentioned, wake up during the procedure, but I have yet to hear of anyone who experienced any discomfort from it. Please don't wait too long to have a colonoscopy; it's well worth it and could very well save your life.

[Bravo]

"Seriously, I'm afraid to get it done."

Gman,
Don't be a scaredy cat!




The alternatives should be what scares you.

[Gman1524]

I'm afraid because I think I have some polyps.
If I ignore it maybe it will go away.

[mavgrad99]

Originally Posted by Gman1524

I'm afraid because I think I have some polyps.
If I ignore it maybe it will go away.

its nothing to joke about and its a killer if not detected... I made the mistake the first time a couple years ago and joked with my doctor that he owed me dinner after my prostate exam. He sat me down and told me the evils of his own prostate cancer and how it was nothing to joke about. yeah, I felt like an ass after that.

[gYmgIrL]

Originally Posted by Gman1524

I'm afraid because I think I have some polyps.
If I ignore it maybe it will go away.

G I hope you're not serious. Do you know how much less bad it is to find them now then when you have to have a zillion operations and chemotherapy. It's NOT WORTH ignoring it!

Pweaaaaaaaaaaase get yourself checked out!

Or be joking, one of the two!

[cracken]

I turn 50 later this year & have been thinking about this procedure for a while now. I've heard some horror stories about it.

But I feel a little better reading your posts, thanks guys.

[TXT]

As with any medical procedure, things can go wrong. Like I've said, I've had two already and my next one will be at 50. I've heard the stories as well but they are the exception rather than the rule. Don't let them deter you from having this done. If you come out clean and your family has no history of cancer, they may not have you do another one for 10 years.

[cracken]

Although not colon cancer, my family has a history of cancer.

[gYmgIrL]

pfft, people tell you horror stories about anything cracken!

Trust me, its nothing, my mum did it and she's was *so* scared and ended up saying it was nothing. And compared to what you go through otherwise, it is absolutely nothing in comparison.

Its silly to be scared of the thing that prevents the scary thing!!

xxxxxxxxxx

[cracken]

I'm not scared....honest.

[velotab]

"I'm healthy until proven otherwise"

Quotation
King Harald V
after rehabilitation after surgery because of bladdercancer