Check your PSA...

Great advice. Lost a co-worker at 37 to colon cancer. He felt awful for a long time before seeing a doctor and then it was too late....

PSA's aren't only about the prostate. One friend's doctor noticed his level had gone up, did further testing and found the beginnings of colon cancer. Treated it and all is well 2 years later.
 
If you're over 40 and have any history of bowel/colon cancer in your family - have a colonoscopy. If you're over 50 have one regardless of family history. While having a tube shoved up your whatsits doesn't sound all that appetizing, the drugs they give you make it very easy. I know, I've had 3 of 'em over the past 10 years.
 
Not Sure if it is the same person but i was just informed of an old friend from Superior propane here in Nanaimo that passed away a few days ago from un-diagnosed colon Cancer. pretty sad losing a old friend and all around great guy to something preventable like this. R.I.P. Ron you will be greatly missed by many.
 
Had my first earlier this year--blood in stool sample. Was not without a bit of humour. Had a student nurse in the OR for the day and she assured me that I would not be the first a●●h●●● she would see today.
 
Had my first earlier this year--blood in stool sample. Was not without a bit of humour. Had a student nurse in the OR for the day and she assured me that I would not be the first a●●h●●● she would see today.

I remember my doc giving me a DRE (look it up if you dont know what it is ;-) ).. I complained that it was not something I looked forward to. His reply was " It really isnt going to make my day either! " But between the digital, a biopsy and the PSA , I was diagnose with moderately aggressive prostrate cancer. I had a radical and I have been clear for 11 years.... BTW-- my PSA was still in the "normal range (4.0) when this happened. What rang the alarm bell was the increase in my PSA from 2.5 to 4.0 in just a year. Annual screening saved me a lot of grief. DO IT!
 
Good point, Cuba. The PSA is only one indicator, and not a particularly reliable one at that, taken on its own. The DRE - or digital rectal exam, for those who didn't look it up - is the most reliable method for fingering out whether you have a prostrate problem. Not a pleasant procedure, but significantly less painful than getting a barbed fishhook stuck in your thumb.
 
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