Preventable, treatable, curable

[Ktwirls]

Am I the only one who feels this applied to colorectal cancer promotes to people that it is our fault we got it and we are cured from it. Is this tag line used for other cancers?

[SkiFletch]

I hear ya. That's not really the intent of that tag-line. It's more to try and get the lazy/feaful folks out there to just go get a scope done, but the connotation is indeed there. I will say this, it doesn't matter to me because I refuse to associate with anyone who thinks that getting cancer was my fault. And if it does get someone who is lazy/fearful/uninformed to go get a scope and it saves their life... Then it's worth it

[betsydoglover]

I hear ya. That's not really the intent of that tag-line. It's more to try and get the lazy/feaful folks out there to just go get a scope done, but the connotation is indeed there. I will say this, it doesn't matter to me because I refuse to associate with anyone who thinks that getting cancer was my fault. And if it does get someone who is lazy/fearful/uninformed to go get a scope and it saves their life... Then it's worth it

I don't think it's had any impact, but I've told my primary care physician that if I had known I would have had propofol (in other words been "out") I would have had a colonoscopy sooner. I think we could go a long way by not only urging colonoscopies but explaining how simple they can be in the right setting.

[sandrichelle]

Well put Ski!

[lauragb]

I can't think of the words to describe how I feel about it. I did have a colonoscopy at age 48 with not even a polyp identified so I was told I would not need
another colonoscopy for 10 years. I had a false sense of security as my symptoms increased (thinking it was nothing), even though in the back of my mind, I thought I might have cancer when I first had the test. So five years later, when symptoms got to be too much, a 5cm tumor is found in my rectum.

I do think there is some fault thrown around when people are first diagnosed with colorectal cancer.....did you have a colonoscopy, what type of diet..blah, blah, blah.
In spite of my situation, I have been encouraging everyone I can to get a test but I think the parameters surrounding it need to be changed if we want it to be more preventable, treatable, curable
- younger starting age (especially after reading ab so many young people on here)
- more often than every ten years
- encourage people with symptoms to get re-checked and not be treated as if it is nothing....

[janklo]

I wish there could be a public service campaign showing all the young people who have been diagnosed. I am sure it is a perception among 20 and 30 year olds that there's no way they could have colon cancer so they don't get their symptoms checked out. It sure was my perception before my daughter was diagnosed! I also think it would be a good idea to show people who are living as stage 4s and don't look like they are sick at all. We get that reaction alot as I'm sure others do. That's one thing Lauren felt like at her job she had when diagnosed. Because she didn't look "sick" no one believed she really had cancer!

I am super annoyed by those turning 50 who will not schedule a colonoscopy. Our insurance (as do many I would think) will pay for it 100% with no deductible or copay since it's a preventative measure under health care reform. So there's absolutely no excuse not to do it! I have read way too many stories of people going for their screening 50 year old one and having cancer. It's just dumb not to go in and get it done.

[hannahw]

Seems also like there needs to be an awareness campaign for docs. While there are many GI symptoms that aren't cancer, some docs seem to dismiss GI symptoms too easily, especially in young people.

To me the intent of the tagline is not just to encourage scoping, but also to encourage hope because it is so much more treatable today.

[betsydoglover]

I am super annoyed by those turning 50 who will not schedule a colonoscopy. Our insurance (as do many I would think) will pay for it 100% with no deductible or copay since it's a preventative measure under health care reform. So there's absolutely no excuse not to do it! I have read way too many stories of people going for their screening 50 year old one and having cancer. It's just dumb not to go in and get it done.

How true, Janklo. But if you were responding to my post, I was terrified of a rectal exam. If my doc had told me that I'd be out and not feel anything I'd have had it on my 50th bday. But he didn't and I was scared. Meanwhile, I'd have had cancer diagnosed at age 50, but maybe just stage 3. Anyway, don't be super annoyed at me. Instead realize that people have hangups and primary care physicians could do a lot to alleviate those without taking much time at all. I'm all about educating them.

[SoConfused]

how about those of us who followed the rules and visited their PCP about their lingering abdominal pain repeatedly but were told it was something related to their gallbladder amongst other things.

The thing that still irritates me is that an abdominal ultrasound was performed to check on the gallbladder which turned out to look perfectly normal; however, it did reveal what they cited as a small 7mm hymangioma in the liver and nothing else. This while I had a 17 mm CC lesion in my liver. How could the ultrasound MISS it???

[Badass]

del

[Gaelen]

Speaking for myself - I hate it. I know what the group was aiming at. They missed the mark.
And the previous incarnation - preventable, treatable, beatable - was even worse.
Both should come with an extra qualifier. Maybe:
- When caught and removed as a polyp...CRC is preventable, treatable and curable.

[lauragb]

Gaelen, Yes! That says it.

Laura

[CRguy]

Am I the only one who feels this applied to colorectal cancer promotes to people that it is our fault ...

I don't take that message away at all....shit happens....to all of us.... that is life.... just my mileage.

we got it and we are cured from it. Is this tag line used for other cancers?

I am 5 years out and currently NED. I do not consider myself "cured" from it.... I consider myself "put on notice" that it is there, in my life, and I need to be hyper aware and proactive in order to keep ahead of it as best I can, with the medical technology as it exists right now.

I have no issue with the slogans I have seen here in BC which usually state " CRC : treatable and beatable if caught early " or some such version, which is usually a promo for folks seeing their docs and getting scoped pro-actively. Saying that is IS preventable is not entirely accurate, but if it prompts someone to get scoped...I am OK with that. Remember HERE on the CClub we are a very engaged, empowered and enlightened bunch. The messages to raise awareness are not perfect..BUT if they do raise awareness in those who otherwise would have had NO idea about any of this...is that a bad thing ?

Just my considered opinion.

Cheers
CRguy

[Toby57]

I had a physical at age 50 which I did every two years , the stool test came positive with blood in the stool, and then was asked to take a kit and test again , came back all clear. Everything is fine, nothing to worry about I was told. Eight months later I went for my first colonoscopy as adviced by my GP at age 50, that was in October 2007, three normal polyps removed, and was told come back in five years. Three years to the date of my first colonoscopy, October 2010, I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Who is at fault now?

[Buckwirth]

- When caught and removed as a polyp...CRC is preventable, treatable and curable.

Nailed it. I am also of the club that did it right, but it turned out wrong anyway. Colonoscopy at age 49 years 11 months, all clear.

At 52 years 2 months I was dx'd stage IV.

So much for 5 to 10 years between tests...