Being prepared is always a good thing. The Boy Scouts of America use “Be Prepared” as their motto, and those guys always seem to be the ones saving the day.

President Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.”  Of course, I don’t know if Honest Abe sharpened his own axe, but his point is well made. It’s better to put effort into the preparation of the job at hand, if you want the best results.

Preparation for a colonoscopy is no different. You don’t want to “half it,” only to have the doctor tell you that they are unable to perform the procedure.

I wish I had a dime for every time I’ve heard someone say that when it comes to a colonoscopy, the preparation is worse than the exam itself.  I’ve even said it myself – It’s simply true.

The average time it takes to perform a colonoscopy is under an hour and the average amount of time it takes to properly prepare for the procedure is around 72 hours. The last 16-20 of those hours are – let’s be honest – usually spent on the toilet. So, yes, the prep is worse than the exam, but the results can save your life.

The objective of the preparation is, course, to have the cleanest bowels your doctor has ever seen. The cleaner they are, the more they can see. The more they can see, the more you know. Plus, who doesn’t want bragging rights to the cleanest bowels around?

How to Prepare

Thorough cleansing of the entire bowel is essential for effective results so there will not be a need for retesting. Instructions for doing this will be given by your physician, but this can include a combination of the following: enema, restriction from eating solid foods a day or two before the test and taking pill-form and/or liquid laxatives. You may be told to stop taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medications for several days before the test as well.

To avoid dehydration, patients should drink clear, fat-free bouillon or broth, gelatin, strained fruit juice (no grape juice or any liquid with red color), water, plain and unsweetened coffee or tea, or diet soda. Unless otherwise instructed, continue taking any regularly prescribed medication. Your physician may also ask you to stop taking iron preparations a few weeks before the test if you are on them. Finally, you need to arrange for someone to drive you home afterward because lingering, subtle effects of the sedation will make it unsafe for you to drive until the next day.

If you already have a problem with hemorrhoids and the prep could create potential discomfort behind the scenes be EXTRA ready with a tube of Preparation-H.

It’s worth it to do it right. I’ve done it wrong before, so trust me on this! I also know firsthand how it can save your life. I finally did get the prep right, and they did find some polyps. I never felt a thing when they found them, or took them off – And if they hadn’t, I might not be here today.

So stop whining. It’s not that bad. Get a good book and catch up on your reading. If you are super competitive, make up a drinking game to help chase down your prep. Perhaps a truly good, or demented friend, will play phospho-soda pong (very similar to beer pong but takes longer to finish) with you. Whatever it takes, the preparation is key, but the results are worth it.

There are some events or activities in life that have very defined stages to them. For example, pregnancy is usually divided into three sections. You have the first trimester (yucky), the second trimester (okay) and the third trimester (feeling like a blimp). I personally loved being pregnant, but for some, it’s not an easy journey but the result is an amazing blessing. A colonoscopy is somewhat similar, as I will explain.

I am also blessed with a husband who loves to garden and work in the yard. I don’t enjoy it like he does, and I also stink at it. I can paint you a picture of a flower or garden, but let me touch the real thing and watch it die before your eyes. The process of gardening is also one of stages but with a great pay-off in the end.  You have a lot of hard work to prepare the land, watch as things grow and then the reward of the harvest.

The process of a colonoscopy is very similar to me. The preparing of the field is about as fun as the prep required for a colonoscopy. Lots of fertilizer being put down. But if you skip that part of the process, you won’t have the results you are hoping for.

The middle part of gardening and a colonoscopy is the easier part. With gardening, you do have to work a little by weeding and watering, but it’s mostly waiting for nature to take its course.

With a colonoscopy, the middle part is even easier in my opinion. The only work for you is getting a needle stick to get the wonderful “twilight” medicine. The doctors do all the work and you don’t remember anything (and without a hangover). You don’t feel any pain. I even had polyps removed and never felt a thing.

The final part of the process in gardening is of course the rewards of the harvest. There’s nothing like that first homegrown tomato from your own garden. For me, the final part of the colonoscopy is a reward. Hopefully the results showed you to be healthy, but even if they find something the good news is that is was found. You could have saved your life. That’s a pretty good reward.

For me, the cherry on top, of the whole colonoscopy process is the fact that, due to the lovely preparation of the “field,” I am starving and feel like I lost weight without the exercise. I haven’t of course, but I feel like it so the meal following a colonoscopy is a usually a grand one and with a little less guilt.

May your preparation be easy and the results lead to a happy ending (your back end).

Did you know that May is Women’s Health Month? It might seem silly to dedicate a whole month to reminding women to take care of themselves, but if you are a woman reading this – you know that more than likely your health ends up on the bottom of your to-do list. No longer do we live in the days of bellbottoms, wide collars and disco. Those were the days where we thought we were invincible. We are now a little older, far wiser and incredibly accomplished. For example, we now know that wings – a hot retro hairstyle – really wasn’t all that hot, and we know that there are health screenings we have to get in our 40s and 50s.

Starting at age 50, women (and men) should be screened for colon cancer. People who are at higher risk of colon cancer need to discuss with their physician if they should be screened earlier than 50. Also at age 40, women at average risk should have a mammogram every year unless a physician recommends an earlier start for breast cancer screening, according to the American Cancer Society.

In saying all that, did you know 80 percent of women routinely schedule mammograms and Pap smears, but only 60 percent of women over 50 are screened for colon cancer? A colonoscopy is just as important as a mammogram and Pap smear. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women in the United States – right behind breast cancer.

So, I am proclaiming that having a colonoscopy is now the thing to do – just like going to the roller rink was the bees-knees when we were kids. If you’re 50 or older, (45 for African Americans), it’s time. A colonoscopy is the only test that can detect and prevent cancer all at the same time. When it’s caught early, colon cancer is 90 percent curable. And preventing cancer is way cooler. After all, everybody your age is doing it – or at least they should be.

Plenty of women put off going to the doctor for various reasons, but please don’t put off being screened for colon cancer because you don’t think you’re at risk. Did you know that according to the American Cancer Society, you have a one in 20 chance of developing colon cancer in your lifetime?

So whether it’s your mom’s old rotary phone or your cell phone, take care of yourself during Women’s Health Month and make the call. Schedule your colonoscopy today.

If someone told me that giving up my diet cokes could also save me a couple of hundred dollars a year, I’d probably think about it for a minute and then, with a sigh, say, “yeah that’s great but it’s the only vice I have left.”  It’s been my go-to line when anyone asks me to give them up.

First of all, however, I do have other vices. I never met a steak or a potato that I didn’t like. I’m also convinced that the streets of heaven will be paved with Sister Schubert’s rolls. However, if the same person told me that giving up diet coke would save me $300 a year and that money could be used to buy shoes (or even better, shoes for someone who didn’t have any), I’d probably start to listen. Sounds like a good deal, all around. Not only would I get the health benefits, but extra cash.

But what if the stakes where higher? Well, they are. Changing to a low-fat, plant-based diet can help you avoid things like heartburn, heart disease and even lower your risk of colon cancer. Those are good returns on your investment.

I am lucky that I’ve yet to suffer from heartburn because of the above vices, but I have several friends and family that do. Some of them have changed their diets to ease their symptoms. They’ve cut out most of the red meat from their meals and added more plant-based foods. They may not know it, but they are getting a two-for-one deal on health benefits. Those same changes can make a huge difference in your risks for colon cancer.

The more fatty foods you eat, the more bile acid you produce, which then turns into secondary bile acids, which promotes tumor growth. That’s a simplified version of what happens but the result is simple. Less fat, better digestion. Better digestion, less heartburn, less chance of developing colon cancer.

I’ve had to take a hard look at my own eating patterns while writing this post. Remember, this girl likes her steak and potatoes and a cold diet coke. I’m also a breast cancer survivor, I’ve had the lovely pre-cancerous polyps that can easily turn into cancer, and a mother who died from colon cancer: Mrs. Pot, meet Mrs. Kettle.

It’s past time for me to take action, but it’s never too late to get healthier. I’m starting today. I hope you’ll join me.  In closing, a note to my family: the caffeine withdrawal starts tomorrow. Consider yourselves warned.

Did you know that keeping your heartburn in check could also reduce the risk of colon cancer? Heartburn is a burning discomfort from the chest up to the throat and leading cause of heartburn is the food we eat. Foods that are highly acidic, spicy, high in fat, chocolate, alcohol and caffeine can all contribute to heartburn. No fun …  huh?  Not necessarily. Give the Taco Bell Doritos tacos and the bacon milk shakes the day off and let’s take a look at a recipe that can ease heartburn and is good for your colon as well.

Linguine with Asparagus, Shiitake Mushrooms and Pine Nuts

If you are worried about heartburn the idea is to keep the recipes simple, portion sizes under control and SLOW down.

What You Will Need:

½ box linguine

½ shallot finely diced

½ bunch of asparagus, tough ends snapped off, and cut into 1 inch pieces

1 container shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, cut into strips

1 small bag pine nuts, toasted

Grated pecorino cheese

½  lemon

Fresh basil

Good olive oil

Salt and pepper

To Prepare:

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water for 10-14 minutes until al dente (firm but not hard).

Meanwhile, sauté the shallot on medium heat in a little olive oil. Add asparagus and cook until crunchy-tender. Add shiitake mushrooms and sauté 1-2 more minutes. Check seasoning.

Drain the pasta and add to the sautéed veggies with a little of the pasta cooking water to make it a little saucy. Toss with toasted pine nuts.

Plate noodles and garnish with some fresh grated pecorino cheese, fresh chopped basil, squeeze of lemon, and a drizzle of good olive oil.

Exercise and eating healthy is the best way to prevent digestive issues. If you are 50 and over or have a family history of colon cancer find a center and get screened today!

Surely everyone is familiar with the burning sensation that all too often accompanies the after-dinner mint following a heavy meal. You know the acidic taste you get in your mouth after burping? The pressure in your chest that makes you wonder if you just might be having a heart attack? That’s heartburn.

In a Q&A on Caring.com a reader asked, “How are heartburn and colon cancer related?” The answer gives us a clear indication that there is a probable link between heartburn and colon cancer. “A reoccurring heartburn can sometimes be a key sign towards determining a more severe case with digestive disorders. We all experience heartburn occasionally but a prolonged feeling of heartburn is likely due to another cause and needs medical attention as soon as possible.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, heartburn occurs when stomach acids splash up from the stomach into your esophagus. While over-the-counter medications like Tums and Prilosec are readily available to neutralize stomach acids and even boast the power to “stop heartburn before it starts,” knowing what triggers heartburn for you and modifying your lifestyle accordingly will not only tame the flame, but also help keep your colon healthy and happy.

Tips for Preventing Heartburn and Helping Your Colon:

1. Limit or avoid foods and beverages that cause heartburn. Everyone knows that certain foods like tomatoes, oranges, and grapefruits, as well as spicy and fried dishes and caffeinated beverages like coffee and soft drinks, trigger heartburn. If you know any one of these foods or drinks sets off heartburn for you, limit their consumption or at least avoid them on a full stomach.

What you might not realize is that foods high in fat like cheese, nuts, and meat are also heartburn culprits. According to WebMD, fat “slows down the emptying of the stomach, so there is more opportunity for a big distended stomach—which increases pressure on the esophageal sphincter—to make heartburn more likely.” Fatty foods sit in your stomach longer, producing more stomach acids and thereby triggering heartburn. A high-fat diet has also been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. Prevent heartburn and decrease your odds of developing colon cancer by limiting your intake of fatty foods and eating a fiber-rich diet.

2. Limit alcohol consumption. Another problematic heartburn trigger is alcohol, especially when consumed during a heavy meal. Alcohol relaxes the sphincter muscle between the esophagus and stomach, allowing stomach acids to come back up into the esophagus. It is also linked to colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, bacteria in the colon and rectum convert alcohol into acetaldehyde, a chemical known to cause cancer in lab animals. You should drink alcohol in moderation to keep heartburn and colon cancer at bay.

3. Curb overeating and avoid late-night snacking. To minimize your chances of heartburn, eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day instead of 2 or 3 larger meals. This will ensure that your stomach is able to digest properly the foods eaten. Overeating puts you at risk for a distended stomach and, consequently, heartburn. Also, be sure to allow 2-3 hours between eating and lying down because a supine position on a full stomach exacerbates heartburn. That may mean dropping the nighttime refrigerator run.

4. Lose the spare tire. As mentioned earlier, a diet high in fatty foods can contribute to an increased risk of heartburn. By modifying your eating habits to incorporate more fruits and vegetables, lean proteins like chicken and fish, and whole grains and by minimizing your intake of fatty foods like cheese, red meat, and eggs, you will lose weight and also significantly diminish your chances of getting heartburn. That’s because excess weight puts pressure on your abdomen, causing stomach acids to back up into your esophagus. A healthier weight brought about by a high-fiber diet and regular exercise will not only decrease your middle, taking pressure off your stomach, but also make your colon very happy.

5. No smoking! According to the Mayo Clinic, smoking has been shown to decrease “the lower esophageal sphincter’s ability to function properly.” Such a compromise only increases your tendency to develop heartburn. But nonsmokers are also at an advantage when it comes to colon health too as recent studies have linked long-term smoking to an increased risk in developing colorectal cancer.

Tame the flame and maintain a healthy colon with these simple but effective lifestyle changes.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the common ailments of the bowel and affects millions of people in the United States. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, frequent constipation and/or frequent diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. “Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications,” according to the National Digestive Diseases Clearing House. Using the FODMAP diet theory, we will focus this post on a dish that is IBS friendly and very healthy.

Soba Noodles with Bok Choy and Cucumber

Soba noodles are traditionally served cold and are made from buckwheat flour which is one of the safest whole grains for IBS. Bok choy, cucumber and lime are foods that that are low on the FODMAP list.

What You Will Need:

1 pack soba noodles

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

2 tablespoons light soy sauce

4 baby bok choy

2 carrots

1 cucumber

1 bunch of cilantro

1 lime

To Prepare:

In a medium pot, boil soba noodles until al dente. Drain and shock under cold water and drain again. In a bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, ginger, soy sauce, and a squeeze of lime, then toss with the noodles. In a sauté pan, add a little vegetable oil on medium heat and wilt the bok choy, then set aside. Peel the carrots into thin ribbons and cut the cucumber into half moons.  Combine noodles, bok choy, carrots, and cucumber. Garnish with a slice of lime and fresh chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

There are certain trigger foods to avoid when adjusting your diet for IBS. Foods that are high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine, coffee or alcohol can be GI irritants. Keep in mind that there is no single diet that can cure IBS and you have to find the foods that work for you. Use this as an opportunity to explore foods that are low on the FODMAP list.

Remember – eating healthy, colon-friendly foods can help reduce your chances of developing colon cancer.

Talking with your parents about their health can be a touchy subject, especially when it comes to colon health. But if one or both of your parents have had colon polyps removed during a colonoscopy, then you need to be screened before age 50, the recommended age for a first colon screening. That’s because a family history of polyps increases your own risk of developing polyps—the tiny growths found in the lining of the large intestine, bowel, or colon—that can ultimately grow into colon cancer if not detected and removed.

So how do you get the conversation started?

1. Bring up an indirect example. Just as you might have felt uncomfortable talking to your children about “the birds and the bees,” you might also be a bit nervous about asking your parents to discuss their colonoscopies. To initiate the conversation, you might begin by bringing up a family member or mutual friend or acquaintance who has had a similar experience.

Here are some questions you might ask:

- “How did Uncle Ed’s procedure go?”

- “Did the doctor find anything?”

- “Were the polyps biopsied?”

- “What were the biopsy results?”

Use this conversation to segue into a discussion of your parents’ own colon screening procedures and results.

- “By the way, how did your procedure go?”

- “Did the doctor find any polyps?”

- “Were the polyps removed?”

- “What were the biopsy results?”

2. Go in with a little humor. Discussing colon health can be funny if you take a light-hearted approach to it. If you have a playful relationship with your parents, why not make a few “butt jokes” to lighten the mood? Not only will you ease any tension that might be evident, but you will also very likely increase your chances of opening them up to discuss their colon screening experience. Gather around a computer, laptop, iPad or your favorite mobile device and watch our video, “Colonoscopy: It’s Not that Bad,” to start the conversation! Click here to check it out.

3. Be candid. If you feel a little apprehensive cracking jokes about certain body parts or bodily functions, then try a more sober approach. When discussing sensitive subjects like colon health, it is always important that you are open and honest. Explain why you are bringing up the topic, that is, your need for family medical history.

You might say: “Mom, Dad, I’m going for my annual physical next week and expect to have a few routine tests run. Before I go, I was wondering if we could sit down and talk about our family’s health history. I would also like to know specifically about the results of your colonoscopy.” What parent wouldn’t be willing to share this vital information with his or her child? Giving your parents some advanced notice about the conversation will also help prepare them for this discussion.

As easy as it is to avoid talking about sensitive health issues with your parents, the consequences can be deadly. Early detection and removal of colon polyps could save your life!  Get the conversation started today by trying out some of these helpful tips. What do you have to lose?

You know you’re getting old when you start to use phrases like, “if I only knew then, what I know now.” I can’t help but think that way. We’ve learned so much about eating habits and how they can affect our health. If I knew then that the foods I eat could actually help prevent cancer, I’m sure I would have listened a little more closely. Well I’d like think my 12-year-old self would listen to me now, but I don’t know many pre-teens who listen to adults.

I never claimed to be the best student in school. In my early school years, I would draw and doodle, when I was supposed to be listening. Of course, I did grow up to actually use those skills as a graphic designer, but my teachers never shared that vision.

In middle school and high school I was much more concerned about what I was wearing, how my hair looked or which boy was passing notes to which girl. I hated anything to do with math, still do in fact, but I did enjoy biology and health sciences. At least when we studied anatomy, we often got to draw pictures. Even way back then, the films we had to watch were outdated and a joke to us cool kids. We giggled at the human reproduction parts and slept through the boring food pyramid parts.

So after years of not listening to anyone wiser or older than me, I try to remember when I actually started heeding the word of others. I can’t exactly remember when I made the switch from using my one mouth more than my two ears, but you better believe I listen now. I am breast cancer survivor. I lost a mother to colon cancer and I have already had pre-cancerous colon polyps. I listen and follow medical advice that helps me prevent colon cancer and breast cancer. For instance, did you that according to the American Cancer society, colorectal cancer is one of the most affected by diet.

A low-fat diet is good for us all when it comes to preventing cancer. When our digestive system breaks down fat, it creates a byproduct that has been proven to cause cancer. Reducing your intake of saturated fats can lower your risk of colon cancer.

One of the biggest ways you can effectively reduce your risk of colon cancer is by having a diet full of fiber. Fiber helps to keep things moving and that helps your bowels to stay clean and healthy. Just like those corny old health class movies said, “eat your green vegetables.” In particular, eat those green leafy vegetables. Bring on the broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and spinach, people.

If you’re not so great with in the veggie department, try adding lots of fruits. Fruits like apples and pears are high in fiber.  You can also try throwing some fresh berries on your cereal. Berries are a great way to help prevent colon cancer because they contain high levels of antioxidants. Blueberries in particular have been shown to help lower your risks of colon cancer. Just be sure to add them to a bowl of a healthy, whole-grained cereal and not a sugar-packed kid’s cereal. If it comes with a prize, it’s not healthy. Your prize will come later…a clean bill of health from your next colonoscopy.

For tips on how to stock your refrigerator with colon healthy foods, check out the article by John Williams entitled, “Cleaning Out Your Kitchen for a More Colon Friendly Lifestyle.”

I had the opportunity to write a guest post about Stop Colon Cancer Now’s music video, “Colonoscopy: It’s Not That Bad” for Ragan’s Health Care Communication blog.

I talked about how we used the YouTube video to help get the prevention message out during Colon Cancer Awareness Month and were able to get more than 1,000 first-timers screened on National Colon Cancer Screening Day.

Head on over to Ragan’s blog to read more about our efforts in the article, “It’s Not That Bad to be a Colonoscopy First-Timer.”

Click here: www.healthcarecommunication.com/Main/Articles/8580.aspx