Asian, male, 49 y/o, no family history - when do I start having this particular sort of fun?

You're just about due.

Sammy, Sammy, Sammy... I think you are a pretty smart guy. Don't be dumb on this. It isn't fun, and the worst is the day before. They give you some meds and its over in 15-30 minutes. When I had mine, they found a couple of polyps that are of the kind that "can" turn cancerous, or so I was told. Five years later the same doc told me that actually they were the type that usually turn bad.

Same thing with prostate exams, not fun, but necessary. :p

and on that topic-
the prostate-

after have several, from different doctors I have opinions on this-

1- no big deal, and really the Dr might be less into it than you. take a breath and relax. if the Dr knows what they are doing then this will be 10 seconds or less-

2 - two reasons a female is preferable. they don't have those parts and thus make sure they find 'em. this is important cuz thats why the finger is in there- second, they don't have those parts and don't really know how rough you can really be with 'em-

3- go to a pro - went to a urologist for a refereed check up and wound up with a guy that had been doing this for twenty years or more. quick hello, .... symtoms... OK lets check ya out... glove,lube, um, OK your fine have a nice day. just that quick. oh wait standing even- the last was my GP, as part of a annual physical. this was the worst part of his day, he wore two pair of gloves, had me on my side in the fetal position was nervous and uncomfortable with doing the procedure.

I am sure some of you are saying wow, this guy has opinions on getting fingered in the bum! yes I do, it may save my life if done correctly and a problem is found early-

So do you lose weight from the prep? Should this be in the diet thread?

Not getting yearly "digital" prostrate check and colonoscopy after 50 is flat out stupid. Only reason I could maybe understand is if you don't have medical insurance. Refusing it to do it because you're embarrassed or have some issues with a medical procedure involving your arse...well get over it.

sammyg, all you need to do is ask a gastroenterologist or an oncologist what it's like to die from colon cancer. After that, you'll be fully with the program.

Or were you joking?

I had my every fifth year (history of colon cancer in my family: My Mother died from it) scope two months ago. The Doc found some interesting polyps and wants to see me again in a year.

Which I will gladly do.

The doctor I go to makes it so easy. As many here have said, the worst part is the prep. The rest is much ado about nothing.

Sammy, it is really an imperative.

+10000

Itis a real medical procedure. With real medical science behind it. (no pun intended)

This is not a aura reading or crystals or other BS. It might just save your life. Get over it ya big Pansy.

Good lord I am hungry....
That no food thing for over 24 hours is getting to me.
You really notice how many commercials on TV are related to food in some way.

It has been 10 years since my last visit to the man (or woman) with the camera. Are there any diet restrictions afterwards?

Waiting for "agent Salax" to kick in for round two.....

Sammy, you need to get your ass in to your GP.

That wasn't so bad. Prep was worse than the procedure.
Fentanyl 75micrograms, Versed 4 mg. A little discomfort but was awake for the whole thing.
Next visit in another 10 years.

47 year old male here and I haven't had a colonoscopy yet, but not worried in the slightest. I am currently undergoing experimental chemotherapy for a bunch of non-cancerous growths in my abdomen. I am also off work for four months from some idiot running a stop sign and t-boning my previous 83 944 which gave me a shattered pelvis, 4 broken ribs, 2 broken bones in my left foot, and a lacreated liver.

From sitting around all this time, I developed blood clots in both legs from not being able to take the required blood thinners from such injuries (becuase of the bleeding liver).

I have been poked, proddded, unable to move (or relieve) myself, taken nasty meds, and spent two weeks in a hospital "RESTING". A colonoscopy will be a breeze.

And I always though that a "tortured intestine" meant that you "met someone" in federal prison.

I have never had one and am way overdue...so I may also have to consider all the good advice here. I haven't had a real physical in over 10 years since the Air Force started doing annual physicals on-line to save money. They just ask about family health history, if I exercise or smoke or drink and if I want to kill myself or someone else. When I answer appropriately, the program says "congratulations, you are in good health" and my records automatically update to "complete" for another year.

I'm 38 and talked to my GP this year about when I need to start thinking about the prostate exams. His response was that I'm a ways off unless there is a family history and that the medical community is at odds right now on whether or not screening is really beneficial. His position was that digital exams are not 100% reliable and PSA tests are even less reliable. He also said that the cancers that typically form in the prostate are very slow growing and do not become lethal before old age gets you. I'm going to take his advise and hope science makes some breakthroughs before someone needs to put their finger up my bunghole...

And if you end up with prostate cancer at a young age it can be aggressive and you're finished. The exam takes all of about 10 seconds and can save your life.

Some of you guys have issues...

50 is a good year for your introduction to it. Like I said earlier, my doc said I'd probably be DEAD now if I hadn't had one 8 years ago. Am I being clear enough? Same with the prostrate thing. If it isn't uncomfortable, your Doc isn't doing his job. Try getting a prostate biopsy its weird, I mean really weird. You get this weird thwacking inside your body like you've never felt, not painful, but definitely weird. Get over the up the butt thing, its isn't gay, unless you trend that way. Its no different than a doctor grabbing your nuts and telling you to turn your head and cough.

IIRC, the 3rd most cause of death in males, and 100% preventable if caught early. That is a f()king gift.

I should clarify my position on the bunghole thing. I fully expected to submit this time around and was ready.... Once I heard my doctors explanation of why it may not be the best thing I clinched a little. His concern came from the viewpoint of finding something that may or not be something of concern, which causes a patient to take a course of action that may end up in permanent disfunction of "manly" activities and may not be necessary. That said I am fully down for the colonoscopy when the time comes...

I'm 41 and got my first prostate exam about three yrs. ago. Wasn't pleasant, but was very fast and not too bad. I think just about everyone knows someone who has been affected by prostate cancer. It's a very unnecessary way to go.

Speaking from experience & coming from a family with histories of both prostate & colon cancer, I feel it is a very big deal to have the examinations performed, expecially all you 45+ guys. Those who've had either exam will agree - the procedures themselves are no big deal. When all is said & done & the results prove negative, you get a a relatively clean bill of health & peace of mind. These 2 cancer (or pre-cancerous) conditions can be of the more aggressive variety (if undetected) yet both are very treatable forms of the disease when diagnosed in their early stages. As they say "Don't die of embarASSment"

Cheers
JB

wink wink








this is a really easy crowd