Shit should hit the fan—literally.
Why start at 45? We’ve known since before 2005 that studies showed that our African American patients and friends had a higher incidence of colon cancer, a later stage if diagnosed on their first (index) screening colonoscopy, and a lower survival.
The American College of Gastroenterology went out on their own in 2005 to state OUT LOUD in their guidelines that African Americans should start routine screening with colonoscopy at age 45, for all the reasons listed above AND the fact that most of the polyps occurring in African Americans were high up the colon, unreachable with a sigmoidoscopy. Other studies have shown that colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening is most cost effective in the African American community due to these differences. And yet, no one (other than the ACG) has chosen to strongly publicize the need for early colonoscopy in the African American community.
Why? The only answer that I’ve heard is that “it would be confusing”.
Huh? To whom?
Most black people I’ve spoken with are not confused by 45 instead of 50. Nor are they confused about their own racial identity.
Do me a favor—send a link to this page out to five of your favorite African American colleagues, friends, and relatives, and let’s get the word out to “Start at 45”.
Let’s crack down on colon cancer.
~ Ms. Butt Meddler (AKA Patricia Raymond MD)
http://www.wvec.com/news/health/Music-Video-for-Colon-Cancer-Awareness-139542533.html
(Text from the video, “Start At 45″:)
Start at 45
Did you know that African Americans have the highest rate of colon and rectal cancer of ANY racial or ethnic group in the US?
Did you know that More African Americans are diagnosed with an advanced stage colon cancer at age 50, and have decreased survival compared with other races?
Did you know In 2005, the ACG changed their guidelines to recommend colonoscopy for healthy African Americans at age 45?
Crack down on colon cancer—
If you’re African American
get your colonoscopy at age 45.
Get the ‘inside story’ at ColonJoke.com
Be aware of your derriere!
====
Credits for “Start @ 45″:
Parody Lyrics “Start at 45” by Patricia Raymond MD
Vocals: Patricia Raymond MD
Background Vocals: Denise Forehand
Recorded at Peace Studios, Virginia Beach by BJ Leiderman
Choreography by Regina Raimona & Michelle Eppich Hood
Dancers:
Patricia Raymond MD
Kennesha M. Walker
Lynelle N. Haugabrook
Videography & Editing: Ryan Bedell
Special thanks to Blocker Norfolk Family YMCA, Virginia
& A Time to Dance Studio, Virginia Beach, Virginia
© 2012 Patricia Raymond Please Distribute Freely! www.ColonJoke.com
Lyrics for “Start @ 45″
Butt Meddler: Start at 45 (Put a Scope in It)
from : Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Start at 45 (7x) Show your booty!
V1
Now if you’re black, gotta watch your back
About this colon cancer thing.
Guideline ages dipped, so don’t you flip
Cuz of early colonoscopy.
For your health’s sake, don’t make the mistake
Not payin’ colon cancer attention.
Despite your fears, start at 45 years
To remain cancer free.
[Chorus]
If you don’t want it then you better put a scope in it
If you don’t want it then you better put a scope in it
Prevention’s better than just prayin’ and a hopin’ it
If you don’t want it then you better put a scope in it
wo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh oh x2
(Ebony screen at 45; remove those polyps, stay alive.)
V2
If your hair is afro curly, colon cancer starts early
It’s something that runs in your genes
Drink it up, that Golyte in your cup
Gotta flush you out for our machines.
Let’s move on prevention, no need for tension
Release your apprehension
Just be aware of your derriere
And screen at 45!
[Chorus]
If you don’t want it then you better put a scope in it
If you don’t want it then you better put a scope in it
Stop the cancer – let the GI doc grope in it
If you don’t want it then you better put a scope in it
wo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh oh x2)
Start at 45 (7x)
Show your booty!
woo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh
oh oh oh 2x
Patricia L. Raymond, M.D., FACP, FACG takes medicine seriously and herself lightly, and dons the alter ego of the cheeky and probing divine Ms. Butt Meddler to raise awareness of colorectal cancer screening. She is President of Rx for Sanity (www.RxForSanity.com), host of Your Health Choice Radio (www.YourHealthChoice.net), and a practicing gastroenterologist. Dr. Raymond earned her degrees at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and The College of William and Mary, and is a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American College of Physicians. The author of “Don’t Jettison Medicine: Resuscitate Your Passion For the Career You Loved”, “Colonoscopy: It’ll Crack U Up!” and “Colonoscopy Is A Gas!”, Dr. Raymond’s upcoming opus is “Colonoscopy: It’s Not A Party Until Somebody Loses Their Pants!”
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