NC Region & Chapters
Your Car and Your Colon
I thought that would get your attention. What could the two possibly have in common, right? Well, quite a lot actually. Since this comes under the heading of "Preventative Maintenance", I put this article in the Technical Section.
Here's the tie-in. You love cars and car events, right? You want to keep going to swap meets and grand nationals and searching for that limited edition barn find with a dead battery and flat tires, right? Well, you need to take care of YOU so you will be around for a while. Colorectal cancer is one disease that can be caught in its early stages and often be eliminated before it becomes anything more serious than a tiny little polyp. Putting off the check-up isn't very wise. Waiting too long could be a lot more trouble. It could even shorten your time behind the wheel of that beautiful car. If your doctor hasn't already told you, you should be checked with a routine colonoscopy when you hit 50 on your odometer ....40 if someone in your family has a history of colon cancer. It's not a big deal, despite what you may have heard. The procedure doesn't take long and it could add years to your life, literally! There's a question from someone in the back. You say, "How do I know so much?" I didn't get checked until my doctor suggested it and there was a history of colon cancer in my family but I didn't know that. Turns out, I was stage IV and the cancer had metastasized and spread to my liver. Two major surgeries, and a number of chemo sessions plus a lot of prayers saved my life. It was AFTER all that when I decided to buy my little red Porsche and enjoy my life. I am a miracle and am truly blessed to be around (and driving). Don't gamble with your health. Get checked and have a nice long life. Please, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.