March #MonthlyMission: Raising colorectal cancer awareness

Mar 12, 2018 | Tony Hart | @TonyHart87 | Comments (8)

About 50,000 Americans die annually due to colorectal cancer ─ even though it’s one of the most preventable cancers. To raise awareness and understanding about colorectal cancer, short videos are being posted daily in March on Mayo Clinic’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. These videos feature Mayo Clinic colorectal cancer experts discussing common questions about prevention, screening options and treatment.

Your March #MonthlyMission is to raise colorectal cancer awareness by watching these videos and sharing them on your social media accounts.

#80by2018 Campaign to fight colorectal cancerWork toward the #80by2018 goal of having 80 percent of those eligible get colorectal screening. Visit the #80by2018 website to learn more about the colorectal cancer campaign, and watch the expert videos.

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Mayo Clinic Champions blog.

Dear Tony & Connect Team:
This article is nothing short of remArkable!
My dream is to see future article regarding Lung Cancer reflect your brilliant writing! Especially when we know Lung Cancer is the #1 Cancer Killer taking
more that 247,000 lives or more each year!
Keep up your greAt work. Connect is a valuable tool sharing very important information.
Sincerely,
Thank you!
linda

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I am 66 and have never had a colonoscopy. I have heard so many horror stories I cannot go through with one. Any positive input for someone filled with so much fear?

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@llwortman

Dear Tony & Connect Team:
This article is nothing short of remArkable!
My dream is to see future article regarding Lung Cancer reflect your brilliant writing! Especially when we know Lung Cancer is the #1 Cancer Killer taking
more that 247,000 lives or more each year!
Keep up your greAt work. Connect is a valuable tool sharing very important information.
Sincerely,
Thank you!
linda

Jump to this post

Thanks Linda! You do amazing work with raising awareness of lung cancer. I'm glad we were able to spotlight you as a Champion. 🙂

REPLY
@parus

I am 66 and have never had a colonoscopy. I have heard so many horror stories I cannot go through with one. Any positive input for someone filled with so much fear?

Jump to this post

Hey Parus,

I think a lot of people are in the same boat as you are about colonoscopies. Fortunately, there are now several screening options available to screen for colon cancer. It's best to discuss your options with your doctor and you can decide which test is appropriate for you with what you feel comfortable with.

I've provided some additional information you may find helpful, if you'd like to look into it further:
*A series of short videos of common questions and screening options for colon cancer: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSWR1ylG_6JZ3ZQRzSsCq5H-KRcEZdiWL
*Mayo Clinic's health information page for colon cancer: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353674?mc_id=global&utm_source=connect&utm_medium=l&utm_content=blogchampions&utm_campaign=&geo=global&placementsite=enterprise&cauid=102815
*If you'd like to talk to others about colon cancer screening or concerns, you can participate in the online digestive health group to connect with others: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/

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@TonyHart87 Thanks Tony. I am glad to know there are options. Will discuss thus with the doctor. There is always the insurance hurdle. Will peruse the mayo connect group. This is the best (now only ) group I participate in. Congrats to all for supportive, well informed and positive comments.

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@parus

@TonyHart87 Thanks Tony. I am glad to know there are options. Will discuss thus with the doctor. There is always the insurance hurdle. Will peruse the mayo connect group. This is the best (now only ) group I participate in. Congrats to all for supportive, well informed and positive comments.

Jump to this post

Always happy to help. There's also a specific discussion around colorectal screening too that would be a good place to start too: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/whats-your-colorectal-cancer-screening-story/

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Parus, Screening for colorectal cancer is important. It is a cancer can be stopped in its tracks when detected early. Colon cancer is very slow growing. It often starts with stage 0 polyps which, IF you have any, they can remove during the colonoscopy.

I've had 2 colonoscopies because of high familial risk. The preparation for a colonoscopy is icky! I'm not going to lie. But in hindsight it really isn't that bad. I try the mind over matter thing and pretend I'm doing a fancy spa cleanse LOL. During the second colonoscopy they found a nasty polyp and removed it. I was so relieved that I hadn't delayed the procedure.

Here's another little thing to make you giggle. I'm not a great sleeper. The deep rest that I awake from after a colonoscopy is my fringe benefit — that along with the warm blankets. Spa? Well no, but knowing that I'm doing something proactive for my health helps me not avoid screening.

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