Have you ever had the experience when someone said something that motivated you to do something that you had been putting it off? That happened to me several years ago when when a nurse practitioner I was seeing for a general visit said to me, “I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t get a colonoscopy when they should. It is a test that will catch colon cancer early or even before it starts”. It was the motivation I needed to make that appointment and find out that it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had thought it might be. Colon cancer is a very serious cancer that has a high chance of complete recovery if caught in the early stages. Many insurances will cover the screening colonoscopy because of how important it is. If you are still concerned about having a colonoscopy, there are non-invasive screening tests you may talk to you doctor about. These stool tests may look for blood and/or DNA, and if found, a colonoscopy may be recommended.
Especially notable is the rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses among people younger than 50. In the late 1990’s, colorectal cancer was the fourth leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in this age group, now, it is the first cause of cancer death in men younger than 50 and the second cause in women that age. The cause of the rise of colorectal cancer cases in younger adults remains unexplained but likely reflects changes in lifestyle exposures…” (from www.cancer.gov). If your family has a history of colorectal cancer, it is especially important since “almost 1 out of 3 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 have a family history or genetic predisposition. People who know they have a family history of this disease should begin colorectal cancer screening before age 45” (from www.cancer.gov) . So while a colonoscopy means a day off from our activities, it is certainly worth the time and peace of mind.
From the Desk of Nancy Church, RN – December 2024