Clean as a whistle! My colonoscopy was a breeze. The preparation is always a challenge because I only can have a liquid diet such as broth, jello and popsicles but the prep itself was so much easier than 6 years ago. The stuff they make you drink to clean out your colon doesn’t have a taste to it and you can mix it with Gatorade, water or, in my case, sparkling water. All in all, so much better than six years ago. Now, six years ago I was challenged with stomach/colon issues and Dr. Jagar scheduled a colonoscopy to see what was going on. Two polyps were found and one of them was precancerous. They were taken out and I was advised to come back in 5 years. As I mentioned last week, last year flew by but I made sure I was setting my appointment this year.

So why does a doctor schedule a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a way to investigate intestinal signs and symptoms exploring causes for pain, bleeding and/or chronic constipation. I was happy my body “told me” something was up six years ago. If I would have waited until 50 (last year), the precancerous polyp could have turned into cancer already. By having them both removed six years ago at this time I had none — zippo, zilch — polyps! So what is a polyp? A colorectal polyp is an abnormal growth of the inner surface of the large intestines and/or rectum.

So do polyps turn into cancer?

Colorectal polyps do not become cancer but colon and rectal cancers do start from polyps.

Another positive change from six years ago is that the anesthesia they gave me then knocked me out for most of the day. This time I had a great nap and was able to go eat with my daughter and friend right afterwards! And boy was I hungry!

Many people stopped me and thanked me for talking about colonoscopies and colon issues. And then there are still so many who are terrified having a colonoscopy. I believe in health and once a year I get a mammogram, pap smear and my cholesterol checked. Why would you not want to prevent certain illnesses and/or cancers with preventative screenings? Most insurances want you to get them because they have figured out it’s a lot cheaper to prevent than to treat. Good health is taking care of your body by eating healthy, exercise, low stress (or learn how to deal with stress) and preventative screenings.

I don’t have to have another colonoscopy for 10 years because after the polyp and precancerous polyp was taken out the last time none re-appeared! One of my cousins started having colon issues in his sixties, he lives in the Netherlands and they don’t do colonoscopies unless there are problems. He had a colonoscopy, they found cancer and now lives with a colostomy bag. I am convinced if he would have had a preventative colonoscopy at the age of 50, his cancer could have been prevented. Of course, we never know for sure, but are you willing to take that chance?

Ester H Marsh Health & Fitness Director JF Hurley Family YMCA