My advice to anyone who may be afraid to seek medical advice or colorectal cancer screening is this: If anything feels off or if something inside of you is telling you to get it checked out, listen to your body. A colonoscopy is really not as bad as it seems. The procedure is fast, pain free, and over before you know it.
Brittney Gross
Patient/Survivor |
Previvor |
Age at Diagnosis:
I started taking a migraine medication that made me very constipated. Once I stopped the medicine, the constipation never improved. I started taking IBS medication from my PCP who said she would refer me to a GI physician if the symptoms didn’t get better. My symptoms included ongoing change in bowel habits, narrow stools, and I was unable to have a bowel movement (bowel obstruction) or constipation.
I just had a feeling that I should seek out care from a GI physician myself. The physician said my symptoms were likely from the medication, but we could do a colonoscopy to be sure since I also had a family history of polyps.
I had a colonoscopy scheduled in November 2022 but pushed it off because the procedure did not sound fun, and I was scared of the bill I would receive. However, something inside me told me to reschedule and have it done. I finally had the colonoscopy in May 2023, at age 28, and they found a precancerous polyp, which they removed. A couple weeks later in the office for a follow-up, I was told if I had not had this removed, it would have turned into cancer by the time I was in my 40s.
I was shocked because as a dietitian, I reduced/eliminated processed meats and alcohol from my diet and still had a polyp. I was relieved to know this was caught early, and I will now go every three years to have a follow-up colonoscopy.
To our surprise the insurance covered the procedure at 100%. I did have to pay for the physician and anesthesia fees. We were fully expecting a couple thousand dollar bill. I wish insurance would cover this procedure earlier for everyone.
Brittney Gross
Patient/Survivor |
Previvor |
Age at Diagnosis:
I started taking a migraine medication that made me very constipated. Once I stopped the medicine, the constipation never improved. I started taking IBS medication from my PCP who said she would refer me to a GI physician if the symptoms didn’t get better. My symptoms included ongoing change in bowel habits, narrow stools, and I was unable to have a bowel movement (bowel obstruction) or constipation.
I just had a feeling that I should seek out care from a GI physician myself. The physician said my symptoms were likely from the medication, but we could do a colonoscopy to be sure since I also had a family history of polyps.
I had a colonoscopy scheduled in November 2022 but pushed it off because the procedure did not sound fun, and I was scared of the bill I would receive. However, something inside me told me to reschedule and have it done. I finally had the colonoscopy in May 2023, at age 28, and they found a precancerous polyp, which they removed. A couple weeks later in the office for a follow-up, I was told if I had not had this removed, it would have turned into cancer by the time I was in my 40s.
I was shocked because as a dietitian, I reduced/eliminated processed meats and alcohol from my diet and still had a polyp. I was relieved to know this was caught early, and I will now go every three years to have a follow-up colonoscopy.
To our surprise the insurance covered the procedure at 100%. I did have to pay for the physician and anesthesia fees. We were fully expecting a couple thousand dollar bill. I wish insurance would cover this procedure earlier for everyone.
My advice to anyone who may be afraid to seek medical advice or colorectal cancer screening is this: If anything feels off or if something inside of you is telling you to get it checked out, listen to your body. A colonoscopy is really not as bad as it seems. The procedure is fast, pain free, and over before you know it.
Brittney Gross
Patient/Survivor |
Previvor |
Age at Diagnosis:
I started taking a migraine medication that made me very constipated. Once I stopped the medicine, the constipation never improved. I started taking IBS medication from my PCP who said she would refer me to a GI physician if the symptoms didn’t get better. My symptoms included ongoing change in bowel habits, narrow stools, and I was unable to have a bowel movement (bowel obstruction) or constipation.
I just had a feeling that I should seek out care from a GI physician myself. The physician said my symptoms were likely from the medication, but we could do a colonoscopy to be sure since I also had a family history of polyps.
I had a colonoscopy scheduled in November 2022 but pushed it off because the procedure did not sound fun, and I was scared of the bill I would receive. However, something inside me told me to reschedule and have it done. I finally had the colonoscopy in May 2023, at age 28, and they found a precancerous polyp, which they removed. A couple weeks later in the office for a follow-up, I was told if I had not had this removed, it would have turned into cancer by the time I was in my 40s.
I was shocked because as a dietitian, I reduced/eliminated processed meats and alcohol from my diet and still had a polyp. I was relieved to know this was caught early, and I will now go every three years to have a follow-up colonoscopy.
To our surprise the insurance covered the procedure at 100%. I did have to pay for the physician and anesthesia fees. We were fully expecting a couple thousand dollar bill. I wish insurance would cover this procedure earlier for everyone.
My advice to anyone who may be afraid to seek medical advice or colorectal cancer screening is this: If anything feels off or if something inside of you is telling you to get it checked out, listen to your body. A colonoscopy is really not as bad as it seems. The procedure is fast, pain free, and over before you know it.
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