Former major league baseball player CJ Stewart didn’t want to have a colonoscopy.
He dreaded the liquid diet. The needles. The IV sedation. The possibility of cancer.
But Stewart, an Atlanta native and former Chicago Cubs outfielder, knew it was the right thing to do. Colon cancer can be genetic and he had a family history of the disease.
“My wife and daughters were like, ‘We really need you to go get checked to make sure you’re good,’” he said.
Stewart’s doctor explained that if pre-cancerous polyps are detected during the procedure, they can be removed before becoming cancerous.
Still, Stewart was intimidated. Spending time in prayer and reading Philippians 4:6 - “Do not be anxious about anything” - helped. So did talking with his wife, Kelli, about her own colonoscopy.
The day before, he didn’t eat any solid foods, drinking only clear liquids and broth.
“As someone who enjoys eating, the fasting and preparation phase was particularly challenging,” he said.
“I finally faced my fears and underwent my first colonoscopy,” Stewart said. “The procedure was surprisingly easy and quick, lasting 30 minutes tops.”
Stewart and his family were relieved to learn he was cancer-free.
Post-procedure, Stewart noticed a newfound sense of confidence and courage. He’s able to focus on training the next baseball greats through his professional baseball development company. And he continues working alongside his wife in their non-profit organization, L.E.A.D, which empowers Atlanta’s inner-city youth through baseball.
On March 12, Stewart spent time at Wellstar East Cobb Health Park, sharing his experience overcoming his fear and anxiety. He tells his story to encourage other men to schedule their colonoscopies.
“This is a way of showing love to ourselves and our families,” he said. “Catching any issues early is a blessing. We can do this, and we must do this.”
According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is now the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., only behind lung cancer. Colorectal cancer typically begins as noncancerous polyps and growths that form in the colon, rectum and lower end of the digestive tract.
“Unlike many other cancers, colon cancer is preventable,” said Dr. Jose Andujar, a colorectal surgeon for Wellstar Health System. “When detected in Stage One, it has a 91% survival rate.”
Since 2000, March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a valuable time to educate the community about common signs and symptoms and promote timely screenings that can save lives.
“We’re seeing an increase in patients under 50 years old who are developing early onset colon cancer,” said Andujar. Doctors now recommend regular colonoscopy screenings beginning at age 45 – or earlier if there’s a family history.
Colonoscopies are low-risk, painless procedures that take less than an hour. A patient can be awake, but most choose to be mildly sedated. During the procedure, a flexible tube is inserted into the rectum so that a tiny camera can view the inside of the large intestine. The exam looks for changes, inflammation, swollen and irritated tissues, and precancerous polyps that can be removed immediately.
Andujar said colonoscopies are generally easier than they used to be, primarily because the preparation process (bowel prep) has significantly improved with better-tasting liquids and lower-volume regimens, making it more tolerable for patients.
Symptoms of colon cancer include changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal pain, inability to empty the bowels completely, unintended weight loss, weakness and constant fatigue.
“It’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms,” Andujar said, “but it’s even more important to know that most colon cancer patients have no symptoms during the early stages, which is why a proactive testing approach is essential.”
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