More Than a Pain in Your Butt

Colorectal cancer is more than a pain in your butt!

It could be the difference between life and death. I know that sounds harsh, but the truth is colon cancer is the second leading cause of death by cancer. Its symptoms are frequently overlooked as “normal” constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pains. If you’re menstruating, you might also overlook the blood in your stools as part of your period.

I did and it almost killed me.

Between 1999 and 2006 the 5-year survival rate for patients diagnosed at Stage IV was 12 percent. I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in March of 2007. Were my chances of survival any better in 2007? Well, let’s just say my surgeon told me I had a 20 percent chance to live. Then I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer again in 2010. There’s not a lot of difference between 12 or 20, but catching this disease is as good as curing it.

So why do so many of us put off getting a colonoscopy?

It’s because the prep for the procedure is so darn painful. You’re made to drink what feels like six gallons of a liquid laxative 24-hours before the test. Of course, you’re running to the bathroom every ten minutes and you’re so hungry because there’s nothing left of the meal you had 48 hours ago. It’s 48 hours, you say. How about hearing you have 20 percent chance of survival? Hardly seems comparable. So get your butt into the clinic to have a colonoscopy. Getting screened can help identify polyps (precursors to cancer) so that they can be removed immediately. Five of 17 polyps found in my colon were cancerous. But the real problem came when the cancer was located in my liver. I’ve had two liver resections, which is unheard of.

It’s not national colon cancer month but I thought I’d throw out this life-saving advice to help any of you trying to decide whether or not to have a colonoscopy.

It could save your life.

Never give up!