💡 A Test That Could Save Your Life (It May Have Saved Mine) (Issue 154)
An ounce of prevention is invaluable
Four people stood next to me, looking at my bare backside.
That’s the last thing I remember before drifting off to dreamland when the anesthesiologist pushed the plunger that fed into my IV. This would be my third colonoscopy in the last 10 years.
Why so many tests?
Well, 10 years ago, a surgeon found a precancerous tumor during my very first colonoscopy. He removed it and recommended a follow-up exam in five years. The second exam found no evidence of any issues. Great! But I still required one more all-clear result before they could put me back on a less frequent testing schedule.
That third exam was yesterday, and… well… they found a small polyp. Sigh… I’m awaiting the biopsy results now. While most polyps are harmless, some can develop into colorectal cancer over time if not removed. That’s why regular screening is essential for the early detection and prevention of cancer.
When should you get screened for colorectal cancer? They now recommend that you get tested after you turn 45. I was told that you should be tested every 10 years until you reach the age of 75, but you may require more frequent testing if issues are discovered (like mine). There are other types of tests available besides the standard colonoscopy.
The good news is that it takes about a decade for a colorectal polyp to develop from harmless to deadly. Colon cancer is one of the slower-growing cancers, so you can catch issues early before they become a serious problem later. However, do not delay your preventive screening!
We lost my father-in-law to colon cancer decades ago. By the time he had symptoms and went to the doctor, it was too late. The treatment he received prolonged his life (much longer than they expected), but they couldn’t save him. Early testing may have helped to resolve the issue before it turned into cancer. We’ll never know for sure. His children were still pretty young, so it was a tragedy that our family never fully recovered from.
Take a moment today to learn more about colon cancer screening. If you have already been tested, that’s good! If not, let me be that voice of urgency that pushes you to talk with your doctor about it (especially if you are over 45 or have any symptoms).
Don’t put this off!
I’m Larry Cornett, Ph.D., an Empowerment Coach who works with ambitious professionals to help them reclaim their power, become more invincible, and create better opportunities for their work and lives. Do more of what you love and less of what you hate! 📕 Check out my Invincible Daily Journals. I have ones specifically for Fall and Winter!
By the way, you can always schedule a complimentary call with me. I’m here to listen.
