Just around the corner is March. As a GI nurse, March is an important time for me because it is colon cancer awareness month. Colon cancer often has no signs or symptoms until it is well advanced. If you are of the age of 50 or older, please talk to your doctor about a screening colonoscopy. It could save your life. Even if you are under 50 and have any s/sx or have a family hx of colon cancer, please get screened. My dad was only 48 when he had colon cancer. His symptom was bleeding and when the tumor was found it was large and located in the cecum (where the small and large bowel connect). I am only 34 and get screened every 5 years by colonoscopy because of my family history. Colon cancer doesn't just affect older people. I have seen very young people die of colon cancer. Many people may have a bit of rectal bleeding and assume it is hemorrhoids. Do not make this assumption. Many people are too embarassed to have a colonoscopy. Embarassement or colon cancer? You choose. Colon cancer is one of the very few cancers that can be cured if caught early. Most colon cancer start as a colon polyp. Polyps are easily and safely removed during colonoscopy. Most people will tell you the hardest part is prepping for colonoscopy. I found this to be very true. Please do not put off getting screened and please join me in spreading the importance of screening colonoscopy!

I work in a GI office too as a Recovery nurse. I agree with everything you said and you said it well.

I really enjoy it too. Actually it's the best job I've ever had.

I have worked in Endoscopy for almost a year now and love it. I would like to specialize in this field and I work with jblack pretty much every day. She is my mentor and my number one nurse. Colon Cancer is a silent killer when not detected early since many times there are no symptoms, which is the dangerous part. A lot of people seem to think, as long as they have no pain or blood in the stool, everything is grand, but unfortunately this is rarely the case. So please please go and get a colonoscopy done if you are over the age of 50. Studies show too now that smoking might be the cause for colon cancer as well and it is thought about to start the screening earlier than 50. If you smoke, please get checked earlier, and quit smoking! I know it is a hard habbit to kick but it is possible. There is a lot of support out there whoever needs help with that. Jblack, thanks for starting this topic.

squirmals: Rectal bleeding is not normal. It very well could be hemorrhoids, but you don't know unless you have it checked. I have seen some people actually get anemic from bleeding hemorrhoids. Colon cancer is usually painless until well advanced. Don't ignore your symptoms.

Thanks, I just don't like to be a hyperchondriac.

Scary, I'm glad he's ok. My dads side of the family is loaded with colon cancer. I think I've put a blinder on concerning the situation. I hate Drs...I can't stand going.

jblack said:

Just around the corner is March. As a GI nurse, March is an important time for me because it is colon cancer awareness month. Colon cancer often has no signs or symptoms until it is well advanced. If you are of the age of 50 or older, please talk to your doctor about a screening colonoscopy. It could save your life. Even if you are under 50 and have any s/sx or have a family hx of colon cancer, please get screened. My dad was only 48 when he had colon cancer. His symptom was bleeding and when the tumor was found it was large and located in the cecum (where the small and large bowel connect). I am only 34 and get screened every 5 years by colonoscopy because of my family history. Colon cancer doesn't just affect older people. I have seen very young people die of colon cancer. Many people may have a bit of rectal bleeding and assume it is hemorrhoids. Do not make this assumption. Many people are too embarassed to have a colonoscopy. Embarassement or colon cancer? You choose. Colon cancer is one of the very few cancers that can be cured if caught early. Most colon cancer start as a colon polyp. Polyps are easily and safely removed during colonoscopy. Most people will tell you the hardest part is prepping for colonoscopy. I found this to be very true. Please do not put off getting screened and please join me in spreading the importance of screening colonoscopy!

I have to have my Colonoscopy this year. We were told that as her daughers my sisters and I had an increased risk to develop Colon Cancer. Sorry its more invasive than a mammogram, but we can live more easily without a breast than we can without a colon. Get Tested! You are worth It!