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Check your 6

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. New recommendations are for screening at age 45. I went for a Happy 50th Birthday screening not expecting any troubles and woke to the MD telling SWMBO about a large mass. 5 years ago today I was released from the hospital after having the right 1/3 of my colon removed. If you are under 50 and having issues don't let the MDeities tell you that colon cancer is an old person disease. Insist on getting checked. Colon cancer rates are rising fastest in the under-50 age group. Screening saves lives, it did mine.
 
And since you're in the neighborhood have doc check to see how Mr. Prostate is doing. Sometimes they can check both without invasive exams. Do at home sample kit's, and blood testing at a local nearby lab. So you may not have to miss a day of work.

Clayton

Sent from my SM-A705U using Tapatalk
 
I'm going in for my triennial check up on Wednesday, and looking forward to it! Nothing like a little peace of mind.
 
Got my 5 year check up to look forward to later this year.
At least I'm looking forward to repeating the best 2 hour sleep I ever had. Not so much the fasting.
 
i had my first when I was 50 in 2013. The doc gave me a 10 year warranty so I get to wait until 2023. My wife had a polyp on her first back is 2013 so had her second scope last year. I try to eat a colon health diet, though, lots of fruits and whole grains.
 

martym

Unacceptably Lasering Chicken Giblets?
Every 3 years here and the time is up in July!! WooHoo!!
I have even had the pleasure of swallowing a camera and having it travel through my system.
But the scurvy dogs wouldn’t give me a discount for using a used camera.
 

kelbro

Alfred Spatchcock
Every 3 years here and the time is up in July!! WooHoo!!
I have even had the pleasure of swallowing a camera and having it travel through my system.
But the scurvy dogs wouldn’t give me a discount for using a used camera.

Always always have them do that one BEFORE they use it for the colonoscopy!
 
Got my 5 year check up to look forward to later this year.
At least I'm looking forward to repeating the best 2 hour sleep I ever had. Not so much the fasting.

For my prep tomorrow, only clear liquids all day and start the prep at 8 pm, per the instructions. Then I do the next step at 330 am with all liquid finished by 400. I usually schedule a late morning appointment, but this time I’m supposed to arrive at 730. I don’t expect to sleep tomorrow night, so that propofol better be good!
 

TexLaw

Fussy Evil Genius
Hear, hear! Don't wait until 50!

I went for my first about this time last year, at the ripe, old age of 47. They came across something "aggressive" but also (thankfully) benign. Give it a few more years to do its thing, and who knows what we would have on our hands?

Don't wait!
 
Just an update on my test this morning. The doc found one 20 millimeter flat polyp (that’s about 1 inch), and called in the flat polyp removal specialist to take it out due to its size. They tattooed the location where it was, and I get to go back in 6 months to make sure they got it all. They didn’t think it looked cancerous, but pathology will tell the tale.

I want to point out that when I had my last scope 3 years ago, my prep wasn’t so good (the prep they prescribed didn’t work so well), and she could not see this spot. So there were 6 years when a polyp could grow. Fortunately, they grow pretty slowly! I was worried about this going in, and contrary to having my fears realized, I am so glad they found it. The peace of mind is such a relief.

The prep really stinks, and the new stuff they prescribed is no fun, but it really worked and did its job. I did mine too, following the instructions to the letter, the doc got a good clear look at everything and thank God for that.

So for you guys looking at your first one because you’re 50 or have a family history, just know that for 36 hours you’re going to be hungry and uncomfortable. But when you’re done, you will be in a much better place. Whether it’s a clean bill of health or finding something and getting a game plan, you will know!
 
I had my first colonoscopy in my early 30's, having lost my father and grandfather to colon cancer. I had a few polyps removed that first time and a couple more removed during the second one a few years later. After the 3rd one came back clean, I went to 5 years between them, before extending that to 10 years. Now in my 70's, my doctor said it was again time, but I told him I was done with that test. We settled on the newer "poop-in-a-bucket" cologuard test to see if there were any indicators. It came back clean and he backed off on my need for a colonoscopy.
 

Doc4

Stumpy in cold weather
Staff member
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