When I hear stories about how people are "blown off" by doctors (and insurance companies, I become enraged, because I know this is all about profit (more profit from chemo treatments than a little preventative maintenance).

Take care of yourselves, folks, by incorporating lots of garlic and ginger in your diets, and do get a colonoscopy, even if you have to pay for it yourselves. I did at age 42, was pronounced all fit, and am relieved, for a few more years anyway.

I'm 42 and was dx with Stage 3 colon cancer 4 weeks ago. Before the dx, I was sent home twice by the ER with "constipation" and was given laxatives due to my age. Because I could not keep food down they fnally did a a CT scan and found the cancer. I am so glad you're doing so well. I've been telling all I can get to listen that if they have symptons to insist on a scope being done. The upside of my experience is that I got to see the US men win the basketball gold medal at 230am that Sat or is it sunday ? - while i was waiting for my CT scan....

GOD IS GOOD AND BLESS YOU! I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS 44 AND DIAGNOSED LAST WEEK WITH COLON CANCER. SHE HAS BEEN BLEEDING FOR 2 YEARS AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT REALLY, WENT TO THE DOCTOR A FEW TIMES BUT NOTHING ELSE. SHE IS A BIG DRINKER AND TAKES ALOT OF PERCOCETS. VERY UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND IS VERY VERY THIN. PERHAPS 5 FEET 9 AND WEIGHS ABOUT 100 POUNDS. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT HER TO SAY THE LEAST. CAN THEY TELL WHAT STAGE SHE IS IN FROM THE COLONOSCOPY TEST? THEY MENTIONED CHEMO ALREADY AFTER SHE WOKE UP FROM THE COLONOSCOPY.

So sorry about your friend. Seems like more and more young people are getting this. That's why it's so important to insist on the screening if you're having symptoms. Anyway, I got a copy of the pathology report which indicated that the margins of the polyp were clear, meaning that most likely when the polyp was removed, all of the cancer was removed. I chose to have surgery to be sure it was all removed and to also have the lymph nodes checked. I'm not sure if the Dr. can tell what stage she's in by the colonoscopy alone, unless it's obvious that the cancer had invaded the colon wall. I don't see how they would be able to tell if it's spread to the lymph nodes without a biopsy, putting her in stage 3 I believe. I just hope she has good doctors who are going to act quickly on this. Best of luck to her and I'm glad to answer any questions that I can. Missy

Thanks for posting such an inspiring story. You are an inspiration to those who are in the situation like yours, I will be praying for your recovery.

God bless You!

Thanks for giving us the awareness about colon cancer, it is true we are never too young to have colon cancer. All of us must be aware. Never let colon cancer hinder you live your life to the fullest.

I'm extremely happy for you, but I caution the use of the term "cured". There is NO cure for cancer.

The best we can all hope for is to go into remission (subjective criteria determined by your oncologist) and then to be cancer-free for as long as possible.

I say this not to rain on your parade or take away your extreme satisfaction, but just to be aware that it could come back at any time and your attention to detail about HOW you feel physically is KEY to survival.

I've just went into remission myself and my oncologist and surgeon both told me that my awareness of how I'm feeling is more important than ever. Loss of appetitite for more than a few days is reason to be concerned. Unexplained dizziness or mini-siezures are reason to be concerned. That nagging cold that just doesn't go away is reason to be concerned.

If you feel physically great today, use this as your benchmark going forward. Continue to complete your bloodwork (tumor markers) and CAT scans as required now live life to the fullest!

Dale

Yes and no, Dale. It's crucial to be vigilant, and I also cringe when people are told or say they are cured. But, actually, when they say there is no cure for cancer, they do not mean that no one is cured. People are cured, especially of early stage cancers. Yes, sometimes it can recur. Or, as in my case, we can get an entirely new different cancer. But, heck, everyone is at risk of getting cancer - whether they know it or not. There is a saying that goes something like "the only way you know you beat cancer is when you die of something else."

My motto is to be vigilant but live fully!

Missy -

I was 43 when diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. My tests have all been clean since my last treatment but I would never consider myself cured. I agree with Dale that there is 'no cure' but that we, as patients, must take control of our own health. Demand those scans and colonoscopies. If my doc didn't want to give me what I wanted, I was ready to go elsewhere. Have you spoken to your onc about the 'no chemo'? That seems strange to me. I know stage I and IIs who got chemo.

Thinking of you!
Stay positive.

Thank you all for your responses. I really am quite confused by all this "cured" lingo. All I know is that I have had several doctors tell me that since mine was caught early and totally removed, that my chances of getting cancer again (colon, or otherwise) are the same as someone who has never had cancer. It certainly is great to hear that but I don't know how true it really is. Therefore, I am more aware of changes in how I'm feeling, eating, etc.. and will plan on having whatever tests are recommended. My heart goes out to all the people who had/have to endure chemo and radiation. To me, you/they are the real survivors. I was just lucky.

Missy - What you were told is correct, more or less. Stage 1 colon cancer is curable. I also had Stage 1. However, since you were only 43 at diagnosis, I wonder if you had genetic testing. If you do have a "cancer gene" (like I do) your risk of getting another colon cancer (not a recurrence but a new one) is much higher than for the general population, and you should be getting special screening.

I disagree. Remission is the term used for chronic diseases that WILL recur.

Stage III colon cancer has a 50% chance of being cured by SURGERY alone. Another 20-30% are cured by chemo.

I am NOT in remission. Praise God! I am cured!

I thought about this for a long time last night and woke thinking about it.

My mother had breast cancer that had spread to one lymph node. She did NOT have chemo, only surgery. Mother is 78 and in Euorpe for 35 days. Her cancer was in 1982, 27 years ago. She is cured.

My Aunt Edith had thyroid cancer 18 years ago. It never returned. She is cured.

I could go on.... To say cancer cannot be cured is a false statement.

For the Christians on the board.... Consider Peter's Mother in Law. She was dead. Jesus raised her from the dead. She cooked lunch. The girl, Tabitha, was dead. Jesus healed her. She rose up and got back to her life. Jesus head the lepers and they went into town to show the priest they were healed. Jesus healed the blind man. 'All I know is I was blind and now I see'. Jesus healed the lame man who rolled up his bed and walked away. No where in scripture do we see a healed person or a person raised from the dead sitting around waiting to get sick again.

Let;s not waste the years we have been given. Share the Good News and give God the glory for your healing!

Now, I'm off to Bible Study (Beth Moore's study on John) and then have loads of work to get done. Y'all have a GREAT day!

Education is the key to survival, and here's a link to a great article from the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) on surviving cancer. There's a section called "Some Common Questions After Treatment" that talks about cancer recurrence.

http://tinyurl.com/59jupq

OR

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MLT/content/MLT_4_1x_Living_With_Uncertainty_-_The_Fear_of_Cancer_Recurrence.asp

Dale

Thanks for the website, Dale. It makes me realize that I have to stay diligent about getting check-ups and screenings in case the cancer does come back. I feel like my doctors, a GI guy and a GP, did me a dis-service by telling me I'm "cured". Never saw an oncologist and I'm very curious if he/she would tell me to basically "go home and relax. I'm cured and it won't come back." Instead of telling me I'm cancer-free for now but they will need to keep an eye on me. I guess I feel a bit deserted, like the article stated. Anyway, the article was interesting to read so thanks again. Missy