For as long as I can remember, my mom has been saying that she wants to live to be 100.
And she’s not kidding around. She might have the healthiest diet of anyone I know (not surprising–she’s a dietitian), and she’s passionate about fitness–swimming, running, yoga, you name it.
But she made one mistake: She waited until age 53 to get a colonoscopy. She didn’t wait until 60. She didn’t wait until 55. She waited to 53.
…and it almost killed her.
The colonoscopy and ensuing tests showed that Mom had Stage IV colon cancer. (Stage IV is the most advanced stage of cancer–it means that the cancer has spread to other organs. Statistical survival rates for stage IV colon cancer aren’t exactly promising: 8-15% chance of surviving 5 years beyond diagnosis.)
That was in August. Since then, she’s had 10 inches of her large intestine removed, 5 months of chemotherapy with a whole list of terrible side effects, and–just this last week–20% of her liver removed.
Based on the information we have at the moment, she’s now cancer-free. (Woohoo! 
)
It’s worth noting, however, that:
- If Mom had waited until 54 instead of 53…Well, according to her doctors, she wouldn’t have made it to 54.
- If Mom hadn’t been in super shape (cancer notwithstanding), this would have gone far worse than it has.
What does this have to do with personal finance?
A few things, I guess:
- Cancer treatment is expensive,
- Health insurance is essential, and
- Missing 5 months of work isn’t great for one’s finances.
But that’s not really why I’m bringing this up. I’m bringing this up because my Mom almost died–completely unnecessarily. This whole thing was entirely avoidable. From the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
“Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer.”
Please don’t wait until you’re 53 to get a colonoscopy.
And tell your loved ones, too.
I know it’s not an easy thing to slip into a conversation. Conveniently, March happens to be Colon Cancer Awareness Month, so perhaps you could use that as an opener. 
A Note on Risk Factors
Aside from her age, my mom had precisely none of the risk factors involved with colon cancer. But she got it anyway. Please don’t put off getting tested just because you don’t fit the mold of somebody at high risk for colon cancer.
Administrative note: This is also the reason for my lack of guest posting and general unresponsiveness to emails and blog comments over the last two weeks–I was out of town and spent much of the time at the hospital away from email. But I’m now home and eager to get rolling again.
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