On Monday I will get my third or fourth Colonoscopy. The first one I had, a very long time ago, pre cancerous cells were found and, three years later, a re-examination showed they had gone. Why? Well, that's the history of this sort of thing. However, had they not gone away, knowing there was cancer, and well in advance of it spreading could have saved my life. Oddly, all men, straight or gay, seem to have some sort of fear of having a small probe put up their anal canal. As I once said to my Doctor, "I'm a gay man, do you honestly think that's the largest, most intrusive thing I've eve had up there?" He laughed, his staff laughed and they're still laughing. However on the days when I go in I'm surrounded by men who seem to huddle within themselves; Apparently they feel they're about to be "violated", that the probe is really a portion of the human anatomy and, bingo, they're less than a manly man for allowing it to scoot around the folds and currunculatons of their colon. I don't give a rats ass as to how undignified, intrusive you may find this, if you are 45 or older, it's time to get a colonoscopy. Ask yourself, which is more invasive? a probe the size of a lentil bean or a scalpel of any size that's about to remove the basis for male sexuality, the prostate. Think about it and make an appointment.
Well said! Every man needs to have a colonoscopy. A neighbor's husband refused to have one and, unfortunately, when forced to have one, it was too late. He passed away three months term.
I took the liberty of moving this topic; It's a very important - and not a painful - procedure to have. Having a history of colon issues in my family, it's something everyone should have done when recommended. It's a lifesaver. I, too, know some people who have died because they did not have one.
I had a pre-cancerous polyp removed during a colonoscopy a few months ago. I advise being safe rather than sorry.
I had a pre-cancerous polyp removed during a colonoscopy a few months ago. I advise being safe rather than sorry.
Same for me last year. Better pre-cancerous than cancerous
Great advice Blitzed! Thank you for sharing that with us.
Here's the follow up...although why anyone should wish to know eludes me. The examination revealed....nothing. Also, my Gastroenterologist has changed his procedure to make it almost non-existent if one dis-includes the two liters of laxative I had to drink....He no longer used Versed to induce a twilight sleep ( I LOVE Versed, some months ago when I had my shoulder replaced I almost wept that they wouldn't give me some whilst I was checking in...but there it is, you have to have a vein catherization before it will be given.) but has replaced it by having an anesthesiologist on staff and that means he can use Propofol. One moment I was discussing the demolition of the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut with him and the next we were finishing our conversation in my room, the procedure completed. Two things....Propofol has a tendency to induce priapism for some hours afterward so....don't feel great having had a good nap you're rarin' to go and pop a Viagra because the combination of the two...you've heard the warnings about an erection that lasts for over four hours?....and my Doctor gave me quite a selection of stills-in Colour!!-which I can put in my memory book or...perhaps use as Christmas Cards for those of whom I'm not overly fond. Not every doctor who does Colonoscopies will want the expense of an anesthesiologist but for those who are truly traumatized by any sort of an even modestly invasive procedure, you may wish to inquire of your personal physician to find one who goes this extra mile.
On another note, ALL my physicians and surgeons-and there are a lot of them-are now twenty to thirty years younger than am I. I grew tired of having their predecessors retiring or dying with their boots on. I suppose one-or more-of these could meet with an unfortunancy but I don't anticipate that.
If you're 45-even younger would be better-and haven't had a colonoscopy, read what the other gentlemen have written as well as my own narrative and make that appointment.