South Lyon man promotes early colon cancer screening

Rajeev Joshi, a man from South Lyon, faced a serious health scare after delaying a colonoscopy. When he turned 50, his doctor recommended the routine test, but Joshi kept putting it off. He thought it was a hassle and didn’t see himself as at risk since he had no cancer history or symptoms. After postponing the colonoscopy multiple times, Joshi took an at-home test called Cologuard, which returned a positive result while he was on vacation. He was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer after a follow-up colonoscopy revealed a large tumor and other concerning spots in his body. Joshi's experience with cancer is not new. He lost his first wife to stage IV stomach cancer years ago. After his diagnosis, he became determined to learn everything he could about colon cancer treatment. Dr. Harry Wasvary, Joshi’s doctor and a specialist in colorectal surgery, noted that Joshi's case was unique and promising. With new treatments like the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, Joshi experienced significant improvements without severe side effects. After 16 months of treatment, he was given a clean bill of health. Joshi emphasizes the importance of early screening and wants others to understand that regular colonoscopies can not only detect cancer but can also prevent it. The recommended age for starting routine colonoscopies has been lowered to 45 due to rising cases in younger people. Dr. Wasvary agrees and hopes to raise awareness about the necessity of screening. He pointed out that many cancer patients show no symptoms and encourages people to discuss their health concerns with their doctors. Joshi now regrets delaying the procedure. He believes that a simple colonoscopy could save lives and help with early detection. His message is clear: don't procrastinate on such important health screenings.