Colon Cancer Awareness Month --- Been Checked?

Unfortunately, Im on the 3 year plan for colonoscopies. I had my first one at age 51, they found 1 polyp then. Went back last year after all my insurance copays were done, and they found 2 then, the type that turns out to be cancerous if left unchecked. So in 2016, I'll be drinking that nasty tasting crap again, At least the procedure is a breeze!

Galileo said...
My colonoscopy was a piece of cake. One of the easiest medical things I've ever had done.

I just had my first ever colonoscopy in September at age 64.

I have to admit that it also was the easiest test I've ever had. The only bad thing was the liquid crap I had to drink the night before AND AGAIN the morning of the test.

But the IV Mayo Clinic gave me put me out completely & I peacefully woke up after it was over. LOL

No matter where you go, I'm sure the stuff either puts you out completely or far enough that you feel nothing at all. The only downside is the colon prep you drink. Other than that, there is nothing to fear about the test, itself.

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Firm erections now briefly happening in early mornings, 2 years post-op.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. That REALLY sucked not being able to eat regular food the day before. And, to make things worse, I was ALREADY on a restricted diet the day or two before because I was also having a fasting blood test. LOL

I had my first colonscopy when I was 40 due to bleeding issues. They found three polyps, removed them and found they weren't cancerous. Have had two since then and haven't had anymore polyps. My last colonscopy was six months after my RT.

At my last, 'inspection' the doc said to comeback in 10 years and just do the occult blood test every year until then.

The prep is the hard part of the procedure.

Andrew

I had forgotten about fasting. Now I remember the doctor saying something like "I bet you're fantasizing about a steak dinner" before they administered the drugs.
The drugs were quite a trip. I was awake, and for a short while after had some memory of the procedure (not bad--I remember being interested in what I could see on the monitor). Totally relaxed, happy as a clam and pain free throughout the whole thing.
Clean bill of health at age 50, so I'll be back at 60.

When mine only one was done, they did the upper scoping and the lower at the same time, so I was put under, never knew what happened. I was happy with that method after all the other crap I have endured.

David

Anal play does not interest me.

Just a reminder...

Please take time to get this done....

Last March, my 21 year old cousin died from colorectal cancer. Yes, very rare at his young age, but we all know that cancer doesn't discriminate.

You don't realize how many TV Commercials there are about FOOD until you're fasting all day long on a Sunday.

Jello and chicken broth just doesn't cut it.

Regarding Ron... last July he was in the hospital three times in July (21 days) and ended up with 3 feet of his colon removed. He said that surgery and recovery was worse than getting his prostate removed. Unbelievable pain. Luckily, no cancer was found.

My wife had her second last week. All clear and she is on a 10 year schedule. I had one before PCa radiation and two polyps were removed, thus I am now on a 5 year schedule. My kid brother is also on a 5 year schedule since our grandfather died of colon cancer in 1963. It matters.

I think the virtual colonoscopy will be very commonplace in 5 years.