A Serious Issue For Everyone

[Paulps]

For once, no jokes in this message from me.
Shortly after reaching the age of 60, I received, through the post, a Bowel Cancer test kit. I was asked to send a small sample of my stools to a lab where it would be tested to see if I had a problem.
I made a big mistake. I threw it away.
Two years later I received another test kit, and that too went in the bin.
Three months later, I was rushed into Hospital, and the next morning had a large tumour removed from my bowel. Forunately, it was caught in time, and I am now recovering, with lots of visits to the Hospital and chemotherapy treatment, and the prognosis is good.
Why am I telling you this? Well if I had sent back that first test kit, they may have discovered the tumour a lot earlier, which would have made my recovery speedier and more certain.
To all of you out there in Shadowland, if you get one of these kits, DON'T do what I did and throw it out. Use it and send it back to be tested. You have nothing to lose by doing that, and possibly a lot to gain.

[Bluesnote]

There is a keyboard player friend of mine who unlike yourself actually went for the tests right away which proved positive for bowel cancer. He had an op to remove the tumour but totally refused chemo after it, saying that he was not going through all that nonsense. I only hope he gets away with it and the problems does'nt return someday with a more fatal concequence.
Must be a musician thing....live for the day
I'm a bit like that myself. Silly I know.

[Risky]

A serious warning Paul ... and on this community of mainly 60-somethings you have reached the right audience.

The self-tests are embarrasing but after "catching" the sample on the third day I was getting quite used to the process Thankfully the tests were clear for me.

Listenup y'all.

Phil

[stratmantd]

At the ripe old age of 19 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and spent years getting probed and popping pills to keep it under control even though I was told it was a mild case. I would hate to know what a serious case is like; mild is bad enough.

As a consequence I have been on the receiving end of colonoscopies every year/2 years since I was 35. I am now 51 and must say that I still get that fear factor when the notification of the next scan comes along; I think that we all think the worst. However, the prep has gone down from 3 days to 1 and a half and the procedure is over fairly quickly, especially if they give you enough sedation.

The relief when you get the all clear afterwards is immense even though there is probably no reason to fear any problems if you have no symptoms.

The Bowel Cancer Kit takes a small piece of turd which is checked to see if there is any blood in your faeces. You also supply another sample taken a few days later as there might be a simple reason for a small bleed which is nothing to do with cancer. Should there be any concern you will go for a Colonoscopy which, although slightly uncomfortable in the latter stage (withdrawal) as the sedative wears off, will show any abnormalities. Most of these will be simple polyps which can be removed quickly and painlessly. You might even see it being done if you are aware enough of what is going on.

These kits should not be ignored; you only get one because of your age and not because thedy think that you are at risk. If caught early enough the removal of any cancerous tissue can be a complete success.

I'm really glad to read that you are recovering well Paul. I hope that your post will encourage others not to ignore the test.

Remember guys, you've paid for it out of your taxes so make full use of this service; it could save your life.