Obese White Women Shy Away From Colon Cancer Screenings

Research conducted recently show that obese, white, women, are less  likely than normal-weight white women or blacks of any weight or gender to  seek potentially life-saving colon cancer screenings.  The reluctance on their part is particularly serious because obesity is associated  with a higher risk for colon cancer and an increased risk of death from the disease.  Speculation is that obese white women may avoid screening because they  feel stigmatized and embarrassed to disrobe for the tests.

The U.S. recommendation is that adults ages 50 to 75 undergo a colonoscopy on a periodic basis.  However, only 20  percent of women and 24 percent of men over age 50 do so.

There was also some indication that obese white men also are reluctant to  undergo colon cancer screening, but further research is needed to confirm  that data.

Having been dignosed with colon cancer myself back in 2009, I can assure you there was a reluctance on my part as well.  Had I not gone in to see the doctor for something unrelated, that required me to be "knocked out," I assure you I would have died from my colon cancer.

During the screening a large cancerous growth was discovered and in a follow up surgery it and a foot of my colon was removed.  In the words of my doctor, "Your cancer Kim, would not have been self contained.  Had you waited to reach the screening age, your particular cancer would not have remained within the colon, but would have broken through the wall and metastasized into other organs."  As  shared with my doctor, Dr. Dujovny, I had no symptoms, no family history, I was not of the screening age yet, and to be quite frank with you, I had even thought about having a colonoscopy but was waiting for the right time. But you know what?  Only now I realize that there will never be a right time to have a doctor look up your butt."  The right time has to be now!  Honestly, my disgust and fear of the procedure far outweighed the actual procedure itself.  So do yourself a favor, do me a favor, and just get screened.

I lost a foot of my colon and I don't even miss it;)  What did I gain?  Well, it's been a few years come June 25th, a day that I will never forget.  Not because that was the day I had my colon cancer surgery.  I will never forget that day because that is the day that when I went in for my surgery Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett were alive.  When I came out of my surgery both were dead.  June 25th is a day that will go down in history for me in more ways than one.