Men, are you getting recommended cancer screenings?

I didn't. After a long, extremely healthy life, I went to the ER because of severe pain in the abdomen and back... thought it might have been kidney stones and it was, but they also found a suspicious tumor in my colon. Turns out it was a Stage III malignant tumor.

For the next (nearly) 3 years I went through radiation, chemo, three different surgeries, two horrible infections post surgery, more chemo, months and months of rehabilitation and am just now getting back to somewhere near well, cancer free and feeling normal again.

The worst part of it is that all of this was my fault - 100% my fault. Had I followed the recommended cancer screening guides, none of this would have happened.

I made this post for one reason, and one reason only. To tell you to [b][u]get recommended cancer screenings, especially for prostate and colorectal cancer. [/u][/b]

This crap hasn't been fun, but I could have, and you can, prevent it from happening to you.

I should add: Women, don't forgo your screenigns either. There are zero reasons to do so.

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thewindupbirdchronicles · 46-50, M

Just curious, when was this? When I was almost 30, my doctor recommended physicals, then my next appointment 37 (I think), I brought that up and said it was less necessary than thought. He was a young physician, so likely trying to keep up on current advice, not sure what advice you were given, and there is age gaps at play here, but it's possible screening practices changed and don't fault yourself.

Are you better? The only man I know with cancer was stage 4, he passed in months and longer than given hope by doctors - so I really do hope for you. ( I catch you are now)

Ontheroad · M

@thewindupbirdchronicles Sorry it took so long to respond - missed your comment.

I am better and actually have been on the mend and now cancer free. Mien was a Stage III, but it was handled well by the team who cared for me and minus the infection complications (common with bowel surgeries) and resulting rehab times, all went smoothly. It's now a year since I was cleared and cancer free.