Charles R. Rogers, Founder and President at Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation and Chief Advisor at Rogers Solutions Group, shared a post on LinkedIn:
” ‘They told her it was nothing. By the time they listened, it was Stage 4.’
Two days ago, I had my first colonoscopy.
In the fall of 2009, my Aunt Joann was misdiagnosed 5–7 times by two major health care systems in North Carolina at age 52. By the time the truth came out, it was Stage 4 colorectal cancer. That loss changed my life forever.
Since then, from Kenya to Japan to Jamaica and beyond, I’ve committed my career to increasing awareness of a cancer that is preventable, treatable, and beatable with screening.
Here’s the part that matters most right now:
During my colonoscopy, my provider found two small polyps. They were removed easily. Not cancerous. If I had waited years longer instead of going now at age 42, because of my family history, the outcome could have been very different. Because I went, I don’t need another colonoscopy for five years.
On this past Thursday, I posted:
‘Colonoscopy prep is temporary. Colon cancer is not.’
What I’ve learned since then is just as important.
Many people don’t know they can advocate for how they prep.
I asked for the pill-based prep (Sutab). No pushback. No debate. It was sent straight to my pharmacy. Life happened, and I couldn’t pick it up in time, so I used Suprep instead.
Let me be very clear:
- It was 12 ounces total, not a gallon
- That’s 90.6% less liquid
- Paired with Glacier Freeze Gatorade or even just water, it was very manageable
Fear, misinformation, and outdated stories keep people away from life-saving care. Advocacy changes that.
If you’ve been delaying, doubting, or afraid, please hear this: early action works.
If I had waited to get screened, the next time I told this story, I might not be here to finish it.”
More posts featuring Charles R. Rogers.