This may take you out of your comfort zone just a little…but…what the heck.

Imagine if you will. You are 58 years young and on your death bed. You are one of the unlucky 50,000 people who will die this year of colon cancer. As you lie there, you are tormented by the constant reruns playing in your mind’s eye of your life slowly slipping away.

All you can see are the wonderful things you used to take for granted…your beautiful spouse…your wonderful family…your close friends…your unfinished projects. You anguish over all the living you’ll be missing out on…such as your daughter’s upcoming wedding…being a part of your grandchildren’s lives…the family vacations you’ll never again take… the sounds of laughter…the simple conversations at the dinner table…the scent of an April shower…the fresh feeling of a new day…all the things you should of, would of, and could of.

With a tear in your eye, you pray to God for a miracle.

Now…rewind your imagination to the here and now and seriously consider this question.

What would it be worth to you not to lose 20 years of your life to colon cancer?

Would you be willing to fast for 24 hours, while having stomach cramps for two to three of those hours? Then, would you be willing to be put to sleep for 20 minutes while having a doctor check you for cancer? Well…that’s it! I ask you again…..would it be worth it?

Oh, I just realized there’s one more hurdle I forgot to mention. FEAR! A fear that’s a little different from your others…this one could literally scare you to death.

Let me cut to the chase.

I’ve had three family members recently die from colon cancer. The sad truth is, with today’s technology, I honestly believe all three could be alive and enjoying life today. All of them were over 60 when first diagnosed, and not one of them had ever been scoped for colon cancer…even though the national guidelines begin at age 50. I’m not certain if it was fear or the lack of information which kept them from doing so…therefore, I’ll address them both.

I hate being this blunt…especially when it hits so close to home. The truth hurts like hell…but the truth is the best weapon I have to maybe get your attention. And if somehow it aids in neutralizing some of your fears and puts you into action…I’ll exploit it all day long.

According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer kills nearly 50,000 people in the United States every single year…while, in the same time frame, nearly 150,000 new cases are diagnosed. It’s the second most deadly cancer out there…next to lung cancer…which is also preventable. But that’s another topic for another day.

The true tragedy is, we now have a way of preventing most colon cancer, but thousands of us every year, for one reason or another, choose to ignore it. Did you get that…I said…CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT! If this shoe fits…please, reread the first two paragraphs.

Although colon cancer usually targets the 50 and older crowd, I ask my younger readers to hang in there and hear me out. It’s vitally important, because you may be the only one with enough influence and knowledge, after reading this piece, to maybe talk some sense into your parents. I don’t want to be too dramatic…but you could literally save their lives. It’s your job to make it happen.

The facts:

Colon cancer begins as slow growing benign polyps, usually in those 50 years of age and older…maybe younger if there is a family history. The beauty is, in these early stages, they can easily be detected and removed before they become deadly…thereby, preventing colon cancer. This all can be accomplished with one relatively easy procedure called a colonoscopy…which, by the way, is done while you are asleep and completely unaware.

For some reason, just the word colonoscopy strikes fear in many…especially in us guys. At one time, I was among the many…but not anymore. After having my second one just last week, I can honestly say…it was a piece of cake. But I’ve got to tell you…I still hate that word…colonoscopy.

The fool who came up with that word should be beaten to death with the tool they use for the procedure. Why don’t they call it an adding20yearstoyourlifeoscopy? This would be much easier to sell…don’t you think?

A quick word on fear…it feeds on ignorance and inaction. Luckily, it loses its sting in the light of information… valid information, that is. And it’s rendered even more useless, when this valid information is coming from one who was eaten up with fear before experiencing his first screening. Again, I just had it done last week, so what I’m about to tell you is very much up-to-date.

• Step one: This is the hardest part…but it’s really not that bad. The day before the procedure, you have to fast and drink a laxative solution, which cleans out your colon so the doctor can see what he or she needs to see. For those like me, who have a weak stomach, there are pills, which can be used instead, called OsmoPrep. OsmoPrep is taken with clear Gatorade and works just as well…if not better, and I highly recommend it. Tell your doctor you know about the pills and he or she will prescribe them.

• Step two: The colonoscopy itself. This is what scares most men into quite frankly…not having it done. They just can’t get past the thought of it. Listen up…I’m going to give the straight truth here, and I won’t pull any punches. When you arrive at the hospital as an outpatient, you are given an IV in your arm…this is where the sedative will be administered seconds before the procedure. When its show time, you are rolled into the room where the procedure will take place and then asked to lie on your left side. They then inject the sedative through the aforementioned IV. Five seconds later you’re out like a light. The next thing you know…you wake up and it’s over. That’s it…you’re done.

• Step three: You get back to your life…period, amen.
Listen…we all know we’re not going to live forever…at least not in this body. But there’s no reason why we can’t milk this wonderful life for all it’s worth. And if that means having a colonoscopy every 10 years or so after age 50…then bring it on.

If every cancer had a screening technique as reliable and successful as a colonoscopy, cancer would almost be a nonfactor for most of us.

If you’re 50 years of age or older, or have a blood relative who has had colon polyps or colon cancer, talk to your doctor and get one scheduled. Don’t put it off…do it now. You don’t want to be tormented with those reruns. If your parents or anyone you love fits this bill…stay on them until they give in.

Don’t assume everyone is aware of the facts. Show a little moxie and spread the word…even if it takes getting out of your comfort zone a little to do so.

As always, I’d love to have your thoughts.  You can do so by leaving a comment below.

If you enjoyed reading this post, would you please send it to two of your friends?  Thank you.
Bill
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