1st Post in My Weekly Series on Living with Cancer.
I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer at the age of 53. I had procrastinated getting my colonoscopy ever since I turned 50. By procrastinating, I had likely allowed my cancer to metastasize from my colon to the liver making it Stage 4, instead of 1 or 2.
The gap between Stage I and Stage 4 prognosis is enormous. The median five-year survival rate for those detected at Stage 1 is a hopeful 91%. At Stage 4? A daunting 14%.
My journey could have been different. Right now, I could have been planning a Safari for 2025, with nothing but time on my side. Instead, my path is now measured in months, not years—a stark reminder of the cost of procrastination.
If you have a friend or a loved one who is procrastinating getting a colonoscopy, be a gently persistent voice. Being a ‘pain in their butt’ could be the most loving act of all. A little nudge can be the difference between a life full of plans and one full of ‘what-ifs.’
Colon cancer is not the only cancer than can be detected early. There are others too. Check this link below by American Cancer Society to learn how you can minimize your risks.