Get that colonoscopy, say Dr. Oz and PK

BOCA RATON, FL — In the grand scheme of things, colonoscopies are usually much ado about nothing.

You know, the exams many of us know about but prefer not to visualize. The ones used to detect changes, abnormalities and any gastrointestinal disorders in the large intestine or colon and the rectum.

This year I had my first colonoscopy and like journalist Katie Couric, actor Will Smith and many others continuing to make a difference in the fight against colon cancer, I took a camera inside the surgical room to show others what to expect. But before we get to my procedure from one fine day in early 2021, here’s a little bit about why I got here earlier than most.

It all started with the guidance of award-winning health expert and physician, Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Well, you could say it all started with guidance from Dr. Oz on his show.

My mom regularly watched his show and took notice of a colon cancer segment in 2009 where Dr. Oz showed and explained a good versus bad colon. That segment is what finally got my mom to schedule her first colonoscopy. And as fate would have it, soon afterwards we would meet the man that inspired her to make the appointment.

“The Dr. Oz Show” was airing on WPTV NBC 5 in West Palm Beach where I was anchoring and reporting at the time.

Dr. Oz passed through town for some promotional work and I invited Mom to the station to meet him.

She brought one of his books and as he was kindly signing it, she said “You know, I finally scheduled my first colonoscopy because of you.”

Oz then wrote, “Enjoy your colonoscopy!”

We all had some good laughs, took a few photos and a few weeks later, Mom had her first colonoscopy.

The doctor found cancer.

Cancer that over the next nine years would - no matter how hard she and doctors would fight against it - make its way to her lung and lymph nodes.

Not many days went by without a challenging side effect, chemotherapy, radiation and appointments from the Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute to the University of Michigan Medical Center. But we sure filled days with the good stuff too, so many good moments with “Grandie” until her final one in August of 2018.

Two years later, I turned 40 and due to my mom’s colon cancer history, it was time for my colon cancer prevention with all the prep…. which is why this whole colonoscopy thing often gets a bad rap. It’s not fun, but it’s not all that bad.

It’s a day of clear liquids, then a day of drinking some unpleasant stuff and a night of clearing things out, so to speak.

And then, gameday.

Gastro Health’s Dr. Lawrence Fiedler was the skilled gastroenterologist who handled my colonoscopy. Following greetings and anesthesia, he used a tiny camera on the tip of a tube to examine my colon. And it’s a good thing he did.

Dr. Fiedler found and removed a pre-cancerous polyp.

“If we find these small, hopefully small polyps and remove them, they can’t become anything. The overwhelming majority of colon cancer started probably eight, maybe ten years before from a small polyp that grows into a large polyp. The polyp then can grow into a cancer. If you find them and just remove them that basically dramatically reduces your chances of ever getting colon cancer,” says Dr. Fiedler.

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start screening at age 45 and those at higher risk are encouraged to start screening before the age of 45. Dr. Fiedler says to consult your doctor and insurance company and start asking the questions.

Screenings are your most powerful tool in preventing colon cancer and doctors say physical activity and diets rich in veggies, fruits and whole grains sure help fight it too.

While Dr. Fiedler is my new favorite, it all started with Dr. Oz. Not to mention many other superheroes along the way.

No one predicted that cancer would be part of my mom’s story, now our story… but we learn, we act, we fight and that is something we all can do.