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"I would rather have a colonoscopy every year than have a new chemotherapy."
That's what Travis Beatty, age 33, of North Bay thinks, who discovered that he had colon cancer in 2017. His symptoms began with increasing fatigue to the point where he was diagnosed with the condition. he had trouble just climbing the stairs.
"At 5 feet 10 inches and 170 pounds, it was not normal," Beatty said.
When his legs started to swell and hold water, he felt that something was really wrong and a visit to his doctor followed by a blood test proved that he was not sure. he was right. Beatty also noticed that his stool had slowed down. A colonoscopy revealed that he had a cancerous tumor. He underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy at the North Bay Regional Health Center (NBRHC).
"In the end, everything worked out well. But at age 32, you do not think you need a colonoscopy! It was good to catch it early, "Beatty said. "People should not be scared. I had two colonoscopies and it was not bad. Our health center is configured to perform this procedure very well. "
While colon cancer and colorectal cancer are more prevalent in people over 50, the experience of Travis Beatty proves that everyone must watch for the warning signs, even if they may be mild at first. . Beatty says that in addition to tiredness and swelling of the legs at night, he had no serious symptoms such as blood in the stool until a few days before his colonoscopy.
What to watch?
Your colon triggers an alert when you notice a change in bowel habits that lasts more than two days, with the need to maintain a bowel movement that is not relieved. Rectal bleeding, dark stools or blood in the stools, cramps, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue and unintentional weight loss are all symptoms.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risk of contracting these symptoms. Dr. Scott Shulman, a gastroenterologist at NBRHC, said that regular screening for colorectal cancer, staying active, reducing or eliminating red and processed meat, not smoking and maintaining a weight health are all ways to keep your colon healthy.
"Colonoscopies are a preventive tool," said Dr. Shulman. "We can diagnose and eliminate small and large polyps. If you have a family history of colon cancer or if you discover large polyps in your colon, you should have a colonoscopy every five years. If your results are clear and you do not have a family history, it is reasonable to have a colonoscopy every ten years. "
NBRCC performed 3,193 colonoscopies last year and found increased rates of colon cancer and colorectal cancer. In fact, it is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canada, accounting for more than 90% of all cancers in people over 50 years old. This means that more new colonoscopes are needed.
"Just like your car, the staves go after enough kilometers. Having enough colonoscopes gives us easy and quick access to colonoscopy to prevent or contract early cancer, "said Dr. Shulman. "And we can do it, right here at home, so it's useless to travel."
The current waiting time for a procedure is two months if you have symptoms and six months if you have no symptoms. The NBRHC Foundation hopes to purchase improved colonoscopes, thanks to donations from the Cancer care, near home campaign, which is currently raising funds to buy essential medical equipment.
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