Hi all--I felt compelled to bring attention to colon cancer. I have been off the board for a while because I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and have been recovering from surgery. I am an early stage which is great, but have a path of 6 months of chemo ahead. I want to use my new path to bring awareness to this horrible disease.
Our plan was to move to the area in January next year, obviously that won't be happening now. I just hope to vacation in beautiful sowal as often as I can. Thanks to so many of you for answering my questions about the real estate market and being so welcoming on this board. We were really looking forward to making sowal our next home.
First, I experienced symptoms for only a few days before having a colonoscopy to sort it out. I am 40 w/ no family history so the thought of having a screening never crossed my mind, especially since the recommendation is at 50. I had a mass (malignant) and 2 benign polyps. A few weeks later I underwent a resection of my bowel, fortunately w/ out the need for a colostomy.
What I have learned is this: If you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps in a first degree relative, you need to be screened w/a colonoscopy 10 years before their diagnosis or polyp was found.
Here are some symptoms of colon cancer:
The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is no symptom at all - that is why it is critical that everyone get screened even if they don't think anything is wrong. If you are having symptoms, you must get tested!
I am not wanting to scare anyone, just bring awareness.
Our plan was to move to the area in January next year, obviously that won't be happening now. I just hope to vacation in beautiful sowal as often as I can. Thanks to so many of you for answering my questions about the real estate market and being so welcoming on this board. We were really looking forward to making sowal our next home.
First, I experienced symptoms for only a few days before having a colonoscopy to sort it out. I am 40 w/ no family history so the thought of having a screening never crossed my mind, especially since the recommendation is at 50. I had a mass (malignant) and 2 benign polyps. A few weeks later I underwent a resection of my bowel, fortunately w/ out the need for a colostomy.
What I have learned is this: If you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps in a first degree relative, you need to be screened w/a colonoscopy 10 years before their diagnosis or polyp was found.
Here are some symptoms of colon cancer:
The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is no symptom at all - that is why it is critical that everyone get screened even if they don't think anything is wrong. If you are having symptoms, you must get tested!
- the most common symptom is no symptom at all
- change in bowel habits (diarrhea and/or constipation, narrow stools)
- unexplained weight loss, vomiting
- anemia, lack of energy
- blood (often not visible) in stool or from rectum
- abdominal pain/discomfort (gas, bloating, cramps, feeling that bowel does not empty)
I am not wanting to scare anyone, just bring awareness.
