Silent Cancer Killer Can be Prevented with Colonoscopy

Colon Cancer is the number three Cancer killer in the United States. According to the Texas Cancer Registry hundreds of Southeast Texans will be diagnosed with the disease this year alone.

Colon Cancer hit home for me in October of last year when my father was diagnosed with the disease. It was a very tough time for me and my family. At age 60 i'd only know my dad as strong and healthy. In November he underwent Colon surgery, doctors removed a tumor the size of a grapefruit from his intestines. I am happy to say that the surgery was a success but doctors said he could have died if the tumor had gone undetected, what saved my dad's life is he had a routine procedure called a Colonoscopy.

"No I don't think I will ever be 100%." In March of 2005 Southeast Texan Odis Briggs got news that changed his life forever. The 70 year old said, "I didn't get frightened, I just asked him again did I misunderstand him telling me I was diagnosed with Cancer." The tumor was located three inches inside the rectum. The doctor immediately put Briggs on 29 days of Chemotherapy and Radiation to try and shrink it. In July of 2005 Briggs underwent Colon Cancer surgery. Briggs said, "they had to close down the large intestines and I had a ileostomy bag coming out of the small intestines and the food I ate I lived off the nutrition for 90 days while they large intestines was shut down so the surgery could heal."

Three months later doctors went back in and reconnected Briggs small and large intestines. A nine month ordeal doctors said could have been prevented if Briggs had gotten a Colonoscopy when he turned 60.

Dr. Robert Birdwell specializes in Colon Cancer at the Texas Oncology Cancer Center in Beaumont. Dr. Briggs said, "regular Colonoscopy not only detects Cancer at an early stage it can also catch pileups that in time can turn into a Cancer."

Birdwell said there are several myths associated with Colon Cancer. Including it's not a very common disease the truth is it's the third leading Cancer killer in the U.S. Colon Cancer is a hereditary disease. While people with relatives affected by the disease are more likely to develop it no one is immune. It's a disease that affects mostly white men. The truth is it affects men and women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

In fact the death rate is higher among African Americans. Birdwell says that's because African Americans are less like to get a Colonoscopy. Studies suggest African Americans are afraid of the procedure, but Dr. Birdwell said it's not painful, "it is really not an unpleasant experience at all and I can say that because I have had a Colonoscopy taking a laxative is probably the least pleasant part of it because it will cause you some frequent bowel movements right before and you are on a liquid diet." Birdwell says a sedative is used to prevent any pain or discomfort. He said most people don't even remember the procedure.

Birdwell recommends anyone 50 or older get a Colonoscopy every 10 years. If you have a family history of Colon Cancer you should have your first test ten years prior to your family member being diagnosed. Birdwell says early detection is key to saving lives. He says you don't want to wait until you start showing symptoms, "bleeding, change of bowel habits, even worse obstruction or blockage."

As for Briggs he says he knows it could have been a lot worse. He said it was his family and his faith that got him through. He hopes his story sends a message to others, "whole heartedly I wish that everyone in my age bracket, don't hesitate, please go get it done."

The Colonoscopy procedure only takes about 30 to 45 minutes, less than an hour of your life that could save it.