It started with one little phone call; my middle sister was on the line to tell me the results of her colonoscopy.  Her doctor didn’t like what he saw and recommended that any siblings she had go in for an immediate colonoscopy.  Now, while she does not have cancer the polyps that she has could turn cancerous and led us down this path of finding out more about colon cancer and the young person. 

My mother, is an avid reader of the obituaries, she read to my sister the obit of one young lady, Heather Sherwin 34 of Issaquah, WA who had recently died, following the information given on her obituary we found out that while she didn’t die of colon cancer, she though had been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.  Heather was active in The Colon Club, the cover girl for and one of two models for September in the 2007 Colondar, the annual calendar put out by The Colon Club featuring young people living with colon cancer. You’ll be surprised at the number of young people who are featured on not only the 2007 but 2006 and 2005 Colondars as well.  Take some time to read their stories and browse through each person’s stories.

Reading through this informative site, drives home that while colon cancer is known about, it’s often times thought of as an ‘older’ persons disease.  It’s recommended that adults at the age of 50 go in for a colonoscopy, but here is the thing, if you have a family history of colon cancer, or you exhibit signs, such as blood in your stool, you should consult with your doctor to be checked.  Colon cancer is often not diagnosed, because of the lack of symptoms or the mistaken belief that something else is wrong with you.  Before you ask, yes I am going through the steps that need to be taken in order to have a colonoscopy myself, based upon what my sisters Doctor shared with her.  For more information regarding colon cancer you can always check out the National Cancer Institute, they have valuable, upto date information regarding this disease.

Meet your life head on… You are never young to take charge of your health and life!