All Hot and Bothered!

In 2008, the very funny humorist Dave Barry wrote about his colonoscopy.  He was prompted to have the procedure when his younger brother found he had colon cancer, and since there is often a familial factor, Dave Barry finally had his colonoscopy.

He began with a gastroenterologist showing him a color diagram of the colon, “a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis.”  Now I am not going to try and top Dave Barry, but if you want a great laugh go to: http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/02/11/427603/dave-barry-a-journey-into-my-colon.html#storylink=cpy. 

However, a colonoscopy can be a life saving procedure.  The American Cancer Society believes that preventing colorectal cancer (and not just finding it early) should be a major reason for getting tested.  Finding and removing polyps keeps some people from getting colorectal cancer.  Tests that have the best chance of finding both polyps and cancer are preferred.

Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should have a Colonoscopy every 10 years as a screening test that can find polyps and cancer, and which can be done here at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.

Tests that mainly find cancer include Fecal Occult Blood test (FOBT) done every year, but this does not show exactly ‘where’ a cancer is situated.

So after the age of 50, you should seriously consider a Colonoscopy until you reach75, at which age you can die of something else.

And 30 meters of garden hose?  That was just a catchy heading to make you read about the procedure!