By Valarie Barrett Everett

We’ve all seen the headlines through the years:

“Former NFL player faces down colon cancer”

“NFL Hall of Famer diagnosed with colon cancer”

“Legendary NFL Head Coach dies of colon cancer”

Colon cancer has impacted the NFL just like any other segment of society. And there’s good and bad news. . .

First good news. The number of colorectal cancer deaths has decreased steadily for more than 20 years, largely due to 1) fewer cases resulting from increased screening and 2) improved treatment when cancer is found.

As promising as that is, the bad news is that colorectal cancer, which is commonly called colon cancer where the cancer develops in the colon or rectum, is still the third most common cancer in the United States. It is behind only lung and prostate cancers in men, and lung and breast cancers in women. It is the second leading cause of cancer death. About 1 in 20 of us will develop it in our lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 136,000 new cases of colon or rectal cancer will be diagnosed and over 50,000 deaths will occur in 2014. ¹

Colon cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people 50 years or older. If you dig into these numbers deeper, factoring in race/ethnicity and gender, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that in 2010 (the most recent year for which data has been reported): ²

• African-American people had the highest rate of getting colorectal cancer, and
• African-American men and women are more likely to die of colorectal cancer.

As disturbing as these facts are, it doesn’t have to be that way. Colorectal cancer screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests also can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment often leads to a cure.

Unfortunately, many people are not being screened according to national guidelines.

March 1st was my fourth anniversary of getting my colonoscopy. I was 50 years, 4 months and 22 days old. Yes, I remember the day clearly. I made a vow to get healthier, so after getting “the girls” checked, next on the agenda was the other end. The prep the day before is key to a successful colonoscopy. I stopped eating solid foods; drank only clear liquids, which we already had on hand, like Gatorade and broth; and, I took a substance that triggered bowel-clearing diarrhea. In fact, I felt great after cleansing my system. Today, many doctors use less disruptive preparations than those of just a few years ago.

I didn’t have any symptoms or family history of colorectal cancer so I was not too concerned about the test. Due to sedation given prior to the start of the testing, I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort during the 20-30 minutes procedure. Afterwards, I groggily opened my eyes and the doctor confirmed that he spotted a mass on my colon, later determined to be a rare tumor that required surgery. I had a prolonged post-surgery recovery course due to complications from the operation, but, more importantly, getting that colonoscopy saved my life. I would not have known about the tumor until it was too late to treat effectively.

Thankfully, my experience was a wake-up call (eventually) for my husband of nearly 26 years, former NFL player Major Everett, to get his colonoscopy too. Believe it or not, my macho man was still reluctant to get tested, even after my close call, because of his deeply rooted anxiety of an uncomfortable preparation and fear of the unknown. It was over 2½ years later when I finally convinced him it was time. So, he scheduled his screening, he did the prep, and he stayed close to the bathroom. You guessed it! His screening revealed several polyps which the doctor painlessly removed during the procedure. The next thing he knew, he was in the recovery room getting a clean bill of health. So, a colonoscopy was a double blessing for us!

Our mission is to share our story and save lives by spreading the news for colon cancer prevention and early detection.

In this capricious era for America’s healthcare system, one of the certain messages is a proactive commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Obvious fixes are eliminating tobacco and alcohol use, poor eating habits and obesity, and sedentary behaviors; and incorporating daily stress busters. In addition, as we age, I urge you to value the importance of staying current on preventative clinical measures, such as, keeping regular doctor check-ups and getting your recommended screening tests. NFL wives, moms, and significant others, talk to your doctor and ask if it’s your time for you, and your guy, to schedule that colonoscopy.

Don’t add to the headlines!

References:

¹ http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-key-statistics

² http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/statistics/race.htm

Resources and Support:

American Cancer Society, cancer.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov

Colon Cancer Alliance, ccalliance.org

Prevent Cancer, preventcancer.org