There's Nothing Funny About Colon Cancer

An op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal attempts to be funny in describing the prep for a colonoscopy, the diagnostic tool used for the detection and prevention of colon cancer. It tries hard but fails, mostly because there's nothing funny about cancer. The writer whines about how difficult it is to prepare for this important test, as if life really is just a bowl of cherries and nothing should ever be difficult.

Honestly, the prep for a colonoscopy is no big deal, especially when compared to the regimen required 35 years ago. Because the disease runs in my family I had my first one fairly early at age 41. It was so unpleasant that halfway through I wailed to my husband that I'd rather have colon cancer than finish drinking all the poison. (My word -- it wasn't really poison,) 

Obviously I didn't mean it, but the steps necessary for the doctor to see the walls of my colon clearly during the exam seemed overwhelming. Of course I finished the prep, but not without lots of crying and cursing.

Happily, times have changed. Yes, you have to take a bunch of laxatives and yes, you have to be on a liquid diet for a day or two before the procedure. But the possible results of not having one are far worse: I'm talking the removal of part or all of your colon, or death. And FYI, the procedure itself is a breeze, thanks to the lovely drugs they give you. I watched mine on a TV screen and found it quite entertaining.

According to the latest medical recommendations, everyone aged 45 and up should have a colonoscopy. Why not schedule one today? And please ignore that dumb essay in today's Wall Street Journal. It's not even funny.