When I got the news about Chadwick's death, this is what I said to myself, 'this year sha.'
Then again, we usually recommend Colon cancer screening from 40 years but he already got a stage III before 40. Just to tell us alot of things are changing.
And this applies to other non-communicable diseases;these days I see 20-30 year olds with no family history being diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes etc
While we continue to mourn him and applaud him for his strength and service to humanity, remember:
- Not every bloody stool is due to pile.
- Not every episode of diarrhea (posh belle) is treated with flagyl. If alternating with constipation, get it checked.
- Not every long standing abdominal pain is due to yeast infection or typhoid ( some people have been drinking herbs for years because they were told typhoid is stubborn to treat)
- Unintentional weight loss needs to be investigated.
- Colonoscopy ( a camera is sent through your anus to check inside your intestines for any abnormality) is available in Cameroon. It may be a little expensive ranging from 45000-80000 XAF but if recommended by your physician, make an effort to do it.
- The black race have a higher risk of developing colon cancer so you may want to take screening serious.
We need to get more active(sitting for long hours is the new smoking), optimize gut health, eat healthily , screen regularly depending on your risk and above all, let us be kind to one another.
Let me know, have you had a colonoscopy before? How was the experience? I have never done it so let me know what it feels so I improve my counselling and better prepare myself.
#ripchadwickboseman #wakanda #chokecancer