Patients must better advocate for themselves while doctors need to realise that cancer is a disease of the old and young
Shortly after turning 40, I experienced an abnormal tiredness that I ignored for as long as I could. When I began pulling over to catch a microsleep before clinic, I was moved to see my GP who diagnosed severe iron deficiency. She suggested that along with replenishing the iron, I have a workup for “less common causes”. I am an oncologist; I knew what she meant.
In corridor consults with my former classmates, I tried to convince myself and them that an iron infusion was all I needed for my presumed nutritional deficit. My gastroenterologist friend, fresh from a “his and her” colonoscopy to celebrate the couple’s 40th birthday, dissuaded me but the cancer surgeon was blunt: “I operate on people like you every week, so I’d get that scope.” The worst thing about the colonoscopy was the trepidation because I was asleep for the procedure and thankfully, it found nothing sinister. Sobered, I resolved not be my own doctor again.
