Today I Want to Talk to You About… Colon Cancer

If you’ve ever listened to Joel Osteen, you know how he starts: a lighthearted story, a little humor, and then the line, “Today I want to talk to you about…”

But today, I can’t start with a joke. Because today I want to talk to you about something that is not funny at all.Today I want to talk to you about colon cancer.

It’s personal for me. My grandmother died of colon cancer. My mom died of colon cancer.

The hard truth is this: colon cancer is often preventable. Screenings can make the difference between life and death. The American Medical Association recommends that if you’re at average risk, you should get your first colonoscopy at age 45 (it used to be 50, but the age has been lowered). If you’re at higher risk, you should talk to your doctor about being tested earlier.

Here’s how it works: you’ll be asleep during most of it. A doctor will use a tiny camera to look around your colon. If there are no polyps, great! You’re clear for a while, though you’ll need to come back for future screenings. If there are polyps, the doctor removes them and sends them to the lab. Catching them early prevents them from becoming cancerous.

I remember calling my insurance company years ago to ask if a colonoscopy was covered. The woman told me that if they found no polyps, it would be free. But if they did find polyps, the charge would be $5,000, plus an additional fee per polyp. I half-jokingly asked, “Do you also weigh them and charge me per gram?” She said, “No, we don’t do that.” But I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity because even in life-and-death matters, sometimes you need a little humor to get through.

Yet this is more than just a health PSA. There’s also a spiritual side.

God calls us to be good stewards of the resources He gives us. We often think of that as money, but resources include so much more. Our relationships, our time, and yes, our health and our bodies. Scripture reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Caring for them is an act of stewardship, responsibility, and faith.

So here’s my encouragement to you:Depending on your age and health history, please—get a colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor. Don’t wait. Don’t assume “it won’t happen to me.” Prevention saves lives, and your life is precious. It's precious to your family, to your friends, and to God.

Take care of what He has entrusted to you.

Mark Lacey is a Spiritual Counselor at Hospice of the Calumet Area. The opinions expressed are his own.