The CDC
recently released an article indicating
that, with early and consistent screening, colon cancer deaths can be
prevented.
*duh*
While I appreciate their acknowledgement of this most obvious fact and the emphasis on getting the word out there, I feel like the CDC is a little late with this information. Additionally, the fact that they continue to educate the public that the screening age is 50 years old, while not informing folks of the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms, is infuriating. I know I was in a minority - I get that. But, I also know that the number of colon cancer diagnosis in the under-50 crowd is increasing year-over-year. Why isn't this making headlines?
All right - I know I'm on a soapbox, and that my personal experience (and watching countless others in my peer group go through this) have skewed my viewpoint. But, if I don't say it, and the CDC doesn't get the word out there, how in the hell are we going to stop these needless deaths from happening?
*sigh* So, what am I going to do about it, you might ask? What do you expect folks to do? Well, I'd like to see the medical community jump on board with the information being provided to them. One of the reports I read this week indicated that the reason more people aren't getting screened is that their doctors aren't pushing the issue. Why not? Because they don't know that this happens to many, many, many people each and every day. I was SO lucky that my original doctor pushed me to go see a specialist. Otherwise, I'd be 6 feet under right now, rather than sitting here, irate at the situation.
What would happen if doctors educated themselves more on the signs and symptoms of colon cancer? What would happen if they didn't assume that colon cancer can only happen if you're 50 years old? What would happen if they didn't assume that breast cancer is the only cancer a young adult female can get? (Don't get me started on that one....)
What kind of overall impact could they have if they just took the time to ask the questions, seek out truthful answers, perhaps look at preventative healthcare as an option, rather than waiting until an issue becomes an emergency and acute care is the only option?
I have so much more to say on the situation...but, I won't. Yet. Suffice it to say that I'm going to keep talking about my diagnosis, keep telling people that screening is key, and keep asking people if they know what's up their butt. :) I can't make an enormous difference, but I can certainly try. And, I'll keep educating myself on the ins and outs of this disease, and maybe, MAYBE, help someone else out on their journey.
*duh*
While I appreciate their acknowledgement of this most obvious fact and the emphasis on getting the word out there, I feel like the CDC is a little late with this information. Additionally, the fact that they continue to educate the public that the screening age is 50 years old, while not informing folks of the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms, is infuriating. I know I was in a minority - I get that. But, I also know that the number of colon cancer diagnosis in the under-50 crowd is increasing year-over-year. Why isn't this making headlines?
All right - I know I'm on a soapbox, and that my personal experience (and watching countless others in my peer group go through this) have skewed my viewpoint. But, if I don't say it, and the CDC doesn't get the word out there, how in the hell are we going to stop these needless deaths from happening?
*sigh* So, what am I going to do about it, you might ask? What do you expect folks to do? Well, I'd like to see the medical community jump on board with the information being provided to them. One of the reports I read this week indicated that the reason more people aren't getting screened is that their doctors aren't pushing the issue. Why not? Because they don't know that this happens to many, many, many people each and every day. I was SO lucky that my original doctor pushed me to go see a specialist. Otherwise, I'd be 6 feet under right now, rather than sitting here, irate at the situation.
What would happen if doctors educated themselves more on the signs and symptoms of colon cancer? What would happen if they didn't assume that colon cancer can only happen if you're 50 years old? What would happen if they didn't assume that breast cancer is the only cancer a young adult female can get? (Don't get me started on that one....)
What kind of overall impact could they have if they just took the time to ask the questions, seek out truthful answers, perhaps look at preventative healthcare as an option, rather than waiting until an issue becomes an emergency and acute care is the only option?
I have so much more to say on the situation...but, I won't. Yet. Suffice it to say that I'm going to keep talking about my diagnosis, keep telling people that screening is key, and keep asking people if they know what's up their butt. :) I can't make an enormous difference, but I can certainly try. And, I'll keep educating myself on the ins and outs of this disease, and maybe, MAYBE, help someone else out on their journey.
Comments:
Tina said...
great
post Michelle! I am going to put a link to this post in my blog. I hope you
don't mind--you said everything so well, I want to share it!
July
8, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Right
on, Michelle!
July
10, 2011 at 7:31 PM
openid said...
Hi
Michelle,
My name is Liz and I have been following your blog for sometime now. I have to agree with your last post. I think it's absolutely crucial for people to understand that colon cancer is now being found in people way younger than 50 by far more frequently than before. I must also agree that it's crazy to know of this rising frequency, at least there are people like you to voice their concerns on the subject. I am happy to learn that you are doing better, hope that you keep on like that.
That said, since your blog is a great resource for someone going through cancer I wanted to reach out to you to see if you were interested in a new online social support network (that I am the community manager of!) called I Had Cancer. It is a new and free social support network focused on connecting people based on experiences with cancer so that they can easily communicate with one another and share information. I would love to tell you more if you are interested, so please let me know! Because I was so struck by your writing I would love to send you an early-access pass with extra invites for others you may know going through this journey.
Either way, thank you so much for your writing. Take care and best regards.
-Liz@ihadcancer.com
If anyone would like information on I Had Cancer please email me.
My name is Liz and I have been following your blog for sometime now. I have to agree with your last post. I think it's absolutely crucial for people to understand that colon cancer is now being found in people way younger than 50 by far more frequently than before. I must also agree that it's crazy to know of this rising frequency, at least there are people like you to voice their concerns on the subject. I am happy to learn that you are doing better, hope that you keep on like that.
That said, since your blog is a great resource for someone going through cancer I wanted to reach out to you to see if you were interested in a new online social support network (that I am the community manager of!) called I Had Cancer. It is a new and free social support network focused on connecting people based on experiences with cancer so that they can easily communicate with one another and share information. I would love to tell you more if you are interested, so please let me know! Because I was so struck by your writing I would love to send you an early-access pass with extra invites for others you may know going through this journey.
Either way, thank you so much for your writing. Take care and best regards.
-Liz@ihadcancer.com
If anyone would like information on I Had Cancer please email me.
July
15, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Hi
Michelle, I just came across your blog and am quite taken with it. Thanks for
sharing your story. I am working on a project called Dying to do Letterman and
wondered if you might be interested in collaborating with us. Here is our
website: www.dyingtodoletterman.com. If you are interested, please email me at
gmdysert@gmail.com.
Thanks, and again, love your blog!
Gina
Thanks, and again, love your blog!
Gina
July
16, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Hi
Michelle,
Great post and so very very true.
In the UK doctor's are brainwashed into thinking that no-one under 60 yes, sixty!) years of age is at risk...
They do the faecal occult blood (FOB)test at 60 yrs here but NOT a standard colonoscopy.
You *only* get a colonoscopy here if they pick up blood from the sample test - many colorectal cancers do not bleed in their early stages.
I've been on my soapbox about this for some time. I'm so tired of hearing that "the statistics show that people most at risk are the 65+ age group" - when mostly everyone online I 'meet' is way under that age.
My rectal cancer was diagnosed at 49 yrs but my surgeon felt it had been present with no symptoms for anything up to 8 yrs previously.
At no point in my 40's did I think I would experience colon/rectal cancer because the information isn't out there for people under 60 yrs in the UK..
Well done Michelle, all we can continue to do is talk, talk, talk about it and hope, hope, hope that it makes some difference to someone out there.
XxXxXx
Great post and so very very true.
In the UK doctor's are brainwashed into thinking that no-one under 60 yes, sixty!) years of age is at risk...
They do the faecal occult blood (FOB)test at 60 yrs here but NOT a standard colonoscopy.
You *only* get a colonoscopy here if they pick up blood from the sample test - many colorectal cancers do not bleed in their early stages.
I've been on my soapbox about this for some time. I'm so tired of hearing that "the statistics show that people most at risk are the 65+ age group" - when mostly everyone online I 'meet' is way under that age.
My rectal cancer was diagnosed at 49 yrs but my surgeon felt it had been present with no symptoms for anything up to 8 yrs previously.
At no point in my 40's did I think I would experience colon/rectal cancer because the information isn't out there for people under 60 yrs in the UK..
Well done Michelle, all we can continue to do is talk, talk, talk about it and hope, hope, hope that it makes some difference to someone out there.
XxXxXx
July
22, 2011 at 2:47 PM
September
23, 2011 at 2:49 AM
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