Results of a recent survey on our attitudes about our health and the health of others show a major disconnect between belief and reality. This might seem like an amusing side note. Unfortunately, the consequences can be deadly serious. This is especially true for colon cancer.
The survey of more than 2,000 Americans, conducted in late 2009, found that more than half believed other people's health was "going in the wrong direction." Only 17% felt their own health was going in the wrong direction. America's doctors seem to disagree. This suggests that many people have unrealistically optimistic ideas about their diet, exercise, and other health habits.
Evidence of the Disconnect:
- About a third of Americans give themselves an A for personal health; 92% of doctors rate Americans' health as a C or worse.
- Approximately a third of Americans give themselves an A for healthy eating; 92% of doctors give them a C or less for eating healthfully.
- About a third of respondents self-rate an A for regular exercise; 91% of physicians give a grade of C or lower for exercise.
- 95% of those surveyed agreed that regular checkups with a doctor are important, yet 70% said they had purposely avoided going to the doctor.
Ignorance is Not Bliss
When it comes to colon cancer, this last point should raise alarm bells. The survey respondents indicated that specific actions they had taken to avoid going to the doctor included hoping their health problems would go away on their own or asking a friend for medical advice.
Yes, You Are At Risk for Colon Cancer
One problem with avoiding the doctor is that it can result in a late diagnosis of colon cancer, other cancers, and other life threatening medical conditions. Colon cancer is more easily treatable when found early, before it has spread beyond the colon. Survival is very good for early stage colon cancer too.
Once colon cancer spreads beyond the colon, into the lymph nodes or other areas of the body (metastasis), it is harder to treat. Survival rates for more advanced cancer are not as good either.
When caught and treated at the earliest stage - stage I (stage 1) - the 5-year survival rate is about 93%. Sadly, 5-year survival drops to just 8% for stage IV (stage 4) colon cancer.
Make Your Health a Priority
It's important to take an honest assessment of your health. Do you exercise? Regularly? Surfing the remote isn't exercise. Watching sports doesn't count either!
Do you eat well? And no, a salad as a side dish at McDonald's now and then isn't enough.
Making your health a priority is a gift, not a punishment. It may not feel like a gift at first. As you feel better, have more energy, and improve your health, you will recognize that it truly is a gift to yourself and your loved ones.
Make Friends with your Doctor
The other thing you need to do? Make sure you're not part of the 70% of Americans who find ways to avoid the doctor. This is especially true if you have any symptoms that signal something could be wrong.
Colon cancer symptoms in particular can be easily dismissed. It's easy to pop a pepto bismol and hope that bout of diarrhea will go away. Or to assume constipation is just "normal" for you. Or to chalk it up to "something you ate."
Instead of hoping for the best or asking an unqualified friend for medical advice, call your doctor right away. The thought of colon cancer screening might have you running scared. But it shouldn't. There's nothing to be embarrassed about with colon cancer screening. And you don't need to dread screening.
Knowing what to expect will ease your anxieties and help you pick up the phone to make an appointment. It just might be the appointment that saves your life.
Thank you so much for this article. I had
colon cancer surgery Nov 09 and I am doing
great now. I urge everyone by 40 to get
a colonoscopy. The statistics say by
50, but one of my doctors said it should
be by 40. I just thank God, they caught
mine in time. Life is a gift!
Thanks for sharing your story Teresa. This is a great example why advice to get screened is right on target! At the very least, people at average risk for colon cancer need to be screened beginning at age 50. If you have a family history of colon cancer or have any symptoms at all, you need to be screened earlier than 50. Typically, you would be screened ten years earlier than the age at which your relative was diagnosed with colon cancer. For example, if your mother or father had been diagnosed with colon cancer at age 55, you would need to be screened starting at age 45.