Death, Taxes and Scary Sh*t

It's both National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and tax time and get this: 69% say they would rather file their taxes than get a colonoscopy.

I know, sometimes those two tasks feel pretty similar.

The new data comes from a new survey by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and conducted by Wakefield Research that also found that more than half of U.S. adults (51%) prioritize household chores, such as laundry and childcare, over life-saving colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer screenings.

I get it.

Colonoscopies and tests that require you to scrape stool into a collection cup are uncomfortable, inconvenient and yucky.

Do it anyway.

I had my first colonoscopy at 46, a little later than the age 45 the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggests assuming that you are average risk with no symptoms or family history.

That test went fine. The doctor removed a few polyps and I was good to go.

I had my second colonoscopy a little more than ten years later because I couldn't get an appointment during COVID. It wasn't a big deal; I figured I was probably fine since I had no symptoms and was in good health. Turns out, I wasn't fine and was diagnosed with Stage 3B colorectal cancer.

After that I completed six months worth of radiation and chemotherapy treatments and thankfully, just celebrated by first year cancer-free.

The outcome might have been very different had I put off that colonoscopy for another six months. My fast-growing cancer may have spread and I'd be writing my Last Will and Testament instead of this blog post.

The Alliance's survey also found that close to one in five people (18%) whose doctor recommended they get screened don't do so. Among these adults, 72% admit to letting everyday tasks keep them from getting these important health tests. Parents, in particular, struggle to prioritize their own health, with 60% admitting that daily responsibilities prevent them from getting screened, compared to 46% of non-parents. 

If you'd like to be there for your kids in the future, you need to stay healthy and that doesn't happen automatically. You owe it to yourself and your kids to take control of your health and wellness.

Colonoscopies can detect cancer, actually they also can prevent colorectal cancer by facilitating the removal of precancerous polyps. More than half of Americans (57%) are unaware of this benefit and more than a third of adults who haven’t been screened (36%) say they are simply afraid.

I can tell you first-hand that there are very few things that will scare the shit you like being told "you have cancer."

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance offers a free, easy quiz at getscreened.org that provides a screening recommendation based on personal risk factors. Click through, check it out and take action today.

The dishes and your taxes will wait.