Change Recommended Age for “1st” Colonoscopy to Help in Early Detection of Colon Cancer

In the last few decades, there has has been an increase in the number of younger patients diagnosed with Colon Cancer. When you think Colon Cancer, you may think of someone who had their 50th birthday present in the form of a colonoscopy and received some bad news about their health at that time. While it is sad & shocking no matter your age, it has been and continues to be one of the most deadly cancers. It has been stealing the lives of more & more younger adults as the years pass. My fiancé, 32, recently diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic colon cancer, is unfortunately one of those numbers. This cancer is a silent one, in that you’re usually unaware you have it until it’s later stages. Knowing that such a deadly cancer is spreading it’s wings to younger groups, we need to do better with early detection/screenings and use all this newfound colorectal cancer information to start saving lives and educating the public on the importance of earlier colonoscopies. Colon cancer research and medicine has come a long way. Please do not dread a colonoscopy, it could save your life. Colonoscopies are SO IMPORTANT. Being that my Shawn is only 32, a colonoscopy is not what landed him his diagnosis; it was a trip to the hospital for severe stomach pain. Had he got screened 2 years ago at age 30, I’m sure stage 4 wouldn’t have been on his pathology report. It’s personal now. I am respectfully and confidently petitioning to change the not required, but recommended 1st colonoscopy age from 50 to 30, to bring awareness to the fact that this cancer doesn’t discriminate, and being seen younger is ESSENTIAL. Colon cancer is very treatable in its early stages & detection at that point is key to saving the lives of so many who wished they had known they had it before they were hit with a stage 4 diagnosis. Cancer for some reason is an evolutionary leech, if you will, and we need to keep our health recommendations up to date with its’ modern research. So to the American Cancer Society, or any doctor who is listening, please help me make this change. Educate the next generation on this deadly cancer. Save more Dads, Moms, grandmas, grandpas... just save more people. It’s more than do-able.
Thank you.