[PAR35]

The procedure is minor. It’s the prep that is unpleasant.

I do recommend them for a 50th birthday present to yourself, and every 5 or so years after that, depending on risk factors.

A skin check every year over 55 is also a good idea, and a PSA for men starting at about that age. (May need to fight with the doctor to get that one).

[Mount Athos]

I know the risk is very small but we lost a relative from a colonoscopy

[wolfpat]

I didn’t think it was too unpleasant. I chose the cherry flavor. And now I have a good jug in which to take my tea to work.

People leave my tea alone, since I left the label on the jug.

[wolfpat]

And BTW, They found no polyps, but they did find several diverticula, so I have to be careful what I eat.

[Faith65]

“The procedure is minor.”

Not if they hit something- then it hurts like h*ll even while you are half out of it!!!!

[petercooper]

The PSA test is a joke. PSA is present in the normal, benign, and cancerous prostate, so PSA is not prostate cancer-specific; therefore, it doesn't detect prostate cancer. It's an industry just like Big Cancer- in business to make money. Pre-screen millions of men for PSA while putting millions more on meds so you have: more customers.

[SamAdams76]

I've had it done last summer for the first time and really no big deal at all. Everybody makes such a big deal over the prep but that's also much ado over nothing. Just guzzle the stuff down and let it clean out your system. Reward yourself with a steak dinner later (after the procedure) so you have something to look forward to when it is over.

When it was over, my wife took me to Capital Grille that night and I ordered the biggest steak on the menu. They say you should take it easy on the food for a day or two but as soon as the procedure was done, my appetite roared back and my body told me to eat, drink and be merry so I obliged!

The procedure itself is quite a trip. They put you under "twilight" sedation so you aren't really knocked out but you aren't with it either. I remember being wheeled into the room and as the procedure started, the doctor was talking to the assistant about the Red Sox. I remember the conversation but was unable to speak as I was in between being conscious and asleep. Suddenly I'm being wheeled out of there and I was told a half hour had gone by even though it seemed to me only 2 or 3 minutes.

So no big deal at all. I was nervous about it the first time and had put it off as long as possible but I'm not going to have any issue getting it done again in five years.

So I recommend every man getting it done sooner rather than later.