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“Like most men I know, a trip to the doctor – especially for a colonoscopy, is not very high on one’s list of priorities. I had my own perceptions about what the procedure would be like and was embarrassed. I really didn’t want to go. After I finally went in for the procedure, I was more embarrassed about how silly my hesitancy was. The procedure was quick and painless, and it wasn’t uncomfortable at all. I remember saying hello to the doctor, and before I knew it I was on my way home with a clean bill of health. When you consider the possible outcome of not getting a screening, it really doesn’t make sense to be embarrassed about the procedure.”
“They confirmed my worst fear. I have a family history of colon cancer, so on my 45th birthday, I went in for a screening. It is a good thing I did, because they found polyps. The good news is that they removed the polyps during the exam and successfully prevented cancer from taking hold. They estimated that if I had waited another five years, there may not have been any good news.”
“My husband refused to take the time to have an exam when he turned 50. I am not sure if the real issue was making the time, or a concern for the procedure. Three years later he started to experience rectal bleeding and finally agreed to have the exam, but it was too late. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and died less than a year later. I hope that by sharing my experience, others that are hesitant to have a procedure will consider making an appointment today. It’s sad to think that people are dying from a disease that can be prevented by a simple visit to the doctor.”
“I was surprised to learn that colon cancer was a leading cause of death for women. So when I was 53, I scheduled a colonoscopy. I had no symptoms of colon cancer, but I just wanted to be sure. Well, the doctor found a number of small cancers in my colon. Fortunately, it was early in the development and the cancer was removed without radiation or chemotherapy. A simple trip to the doctor saved my life.”
“My father died at 57 of colon cancer and my cousin is a gastroenterologist. So when I turned 55, my family urged me to have a colonoscopy. Sure enough, they found some pre-cancerous polyps, which they removed during the same procedure. I went back two years later and they removed some more, but I have everything under control now. I might not be alive today if they had not caught it early.”
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