Preventative testing for Cancer - get it done

Most of us have relatives and or friends that have been diagnosed with cancer. We also know of many people who have had screening tests completed and as a result the cancer was caught in the early stages and many of these people have lived many years cancer free.

Testing is now fairly easy and it can make a difference. Whether it's blood tests for Prostate Cancer, screening tests for colorectal cancer, Pap smears, etc , this is the one thing that you can do for your family and friends that will ensure you all get to spend as much time together as possible.

I had a colonoscopy today and prior to the procedure, I had to go through the usual procedures to clear out my system. It was not as bad as I expected. Sure there was a little discomfort associated with taking the medications to clear out my bowels but the actual procedure was painless. In my case there were no problems and I don't need to have another colonoscopy for 10 years. I will still continue to do the normal screening every tear, just to make sure.

Don't be afraid of any of the testing. Whether you are a woman or a man, you owe it to yourself and the ones you love to get checked out. Good health is the best gift anyone can give themselves and others.

I go for a colonoscopy every 3 years because my dad and his brother both died of colon cancer. My sister went for a colonoscopy last summer and cancer was found in a very early stage and had it removed immediately. Do not put these types of test off ! My sister was feeling fine but because of a family history she decided to go through with the test.

×10000. The worst part of the colonoscapy was the farting and bloating although I still giggled.

Biggest problem with colonoscopy when you live in Bancroft is the 1 1/2 hr trip to the hospital...with no coffee.

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Originally Posted by patvetzal

Biggest problem with colonoscopy when you live in Bancroft is the 1 1/2 hr trip to the hospital...with no coffee.

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Good for you for going the extra mile(s) to get the colonoscopy. I'm sure you had a coffee on the way home.

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Originally Posted by patvetzal

Biggest problem with colonoscopy when you live in Bancroft is the 1 1/2 hr trip to the hospital...with no coffee.

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As soon as i had mine I went out for lunch and ordered a bacon cheeseburger with the works ! And then I had a coffee. :)

Unfortunately there aren't test for all types of cancers such as pancreatic which my late wife died of...when the symptoms present itself it is usually too late otherwise get tested for what you can...I get the camera up the butt regularly as my brother & father both had colon cancer and PSA tests as well as my father had prostate cancer...fortunately he survived both but my brother wasn't so lucky.

A lot of people who have really bad heart burn will get barretts disease (an ulcerous mass on your esphagus)which can lead to esophageal cancer. If you need to have rollaids handy you need a permanent fix because your going down the wrong road my friend.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophageal_cancer

If this might be you then request a esophago-gastroduodenoscopy or upper endoscopic procedure. I had mine done and that's what they found. I always thinking back at the hunting camp my uncle sharing rolaids and heartburn complaints. He was a tough tough sob and would not go to doctors and died from esophageal cancer.

I know that something will always kill you and there is no sure thing but to not get tested is idiotic.

One side of my family had every type of cancer in their family tree, we understand that we are doomed to get it at some point in our lives, catching it early is key.

Nobody wants to die the way cancer takes someone, especially when it is in the stomach and digestive system, it is so sad to watch that happen.

A high PSA resulted in me getting radiation in Kingston a few years back. Cancer Society put the wife and I up in a hotel during the week, (home Friday after treatment, back down Monday mornings). The treatments took about 1/2 hr per day. Best holiday we have had in fifteen years. The treatment worked for three years, now it's on to the next stage....hormone injections every three months.

Bladder cancer is another one of those that when you feel it - its too late - that's what took my wife - she started feeling bad around Thanksgiving - died Feb 2 - sometimes its hard to figure - she was one of those people who was really health conscious - always read what the ingredients of the food she bought - bought a lot of organic from the health stores - didn't drink or smoke - led as healthy a life as you can - on the other hand her father was a drunk - drank like a fish - smoked all the time - was a coal miner since he was a kid - he lived to 87 -

I watched my father in law go threw the whole deal with the bag on his side for a full year .we almost lost him to cancer .thankfully thy did the reversal and his plumbing is now back to normal. He had no sign of any problems at all .just one day his system was blocked off completely. Wow what eye opening. Get checked guys and gals. Do it for your loved ones ..Dutch

Around 5 years ago ( I was around 31 ) I noticed a significant amount of blood in my stool and knew something wasn't right. I went in for a visit and was booked for a colonoscopy. They located several pre-cancerous polyps that they were able to remove. There is no family history of colon cancer so when I went in for a follow-up (which came back clear) the nurse was surprised to see someone so young, with no family history, having a follow-up appointment.

I am thankful that I had the signs that I did and that I didn't ignore them.

BTW if in for a scope make sure they give you enough sedation. I woke up mid-way through and the pain in the stomach was horrible. Have to admit it was cool seeing them remove the polyp. The second time I got a little more sedation and didn't wake up :)

Best be safe than sorry. Sure glad I went in.

I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which is basically a colonoscopy of your lower bowel, since I had minor signs of a potential problem (not getting into it) and due to my youngish age (32), but they do that procedure without any sedation at all. it was one of the most uncomfortable feelings ever, but all tests came up negative, which is all I can hope for.

if anything is off about your body, get checked out. cancer is very prevalent now and there are lots of options to get treatment if caught early.
great thread!!

your responsible doctor will always insist on a blood test every 6 months. In the blood test according to my Doctor screens for cancer. No biggie. just get 'er done!!