"March, colon cancer awareness month, is important to me because I am at a higher risk"

Joplin Globe, 7 January 1979: Sophie U. Rodgers, age 48, passed away after a lengthy illness. How many times have you read an obituary that started like this, and wondered what was the illness was? In this case, I can tell you because this was my mother and she had colon cancer. Three out of four of her brothers died before the age of 55, and one is a cancer survivor and will be 85 years young in April. In May 2004, I walked my first Relay for Life in her memory, and Lord willing, I plan to walk another Relay for Life with a good friend after my birthday later this year.

March is colon cancer awareness month, and it is important to me because I know that I am at a higher risk for getting this than the average person. As a result, I have endured my share of colonoscopies, and have one to look forward to in 2013. I can tell you from experience that getting ready for the test is far worse than the test, as you are allowed to sleep through the test. And what happens if they find polyps? They will remove them (while you are sleeping) and do a biopsy. Ladies, this test is just as important as a mammogram and a pap smear, so let’s not forget, "Mammy and Pappy and if it is time, have your colonoscopy". Early detection is the key.

I am currently serving as President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (LAVFW) in small town Missouri. I want to thank those members who accepted my challenge and wore something blue to create awareness this month. I am writing this in the hopes that none of my members will be afraid to have a colonoscopy. Cancer treatment today is so different than it was in the summer of 1977 when my mother received her diagnosis, and there are SURVIVORS.