Cathy Reising

Just in Time: A Colon Cancer Screening Story

Cathy Reising is no stranger to cancer. As the Cancer Registry Manager and Survey Consultant for the Commission on Cancer at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, she is familiar with cancer patients and their stories from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Despite her position and knowledge of the importance of cancer screenings, Cathy had never had a colonoscopy until this year at age 56. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of her life.

At 56, Cathy knew she was beyond the recommended age of 50 for having her first colonoscopy. “It was always on my to-do list, and I was really feeling like a hypocrite, telling everyone to take care of themselves, but not taking care of myself,” she said. This year, when the Cancer Care Program held an event promoting colorectal screenings, Cathy knew there was no excuse and she signed up.

Cathy was aware that a colonoscopy is a quick and painless procedure and the best diagnostic tool to determine if she had polyps. Although colon polyps—growths on the inner lining of the colon—are common, they can be cancerous. During her colonoscopy, three polyps were found—one of which was tubular magnum, a type of polyp that is more likely to become cancer in the future.

All three polyps were removed and sent to the pathology lab to be tested. Cathy’s polyps turned out to be negative for cancer, however the entire experience had a serious effect on her. “I felt so blessed that I did the colonoscopy, I shudder to think what would have happened if I had waited one more year.”

Even the colonoscopy procedure itself turned out to be positive. “It could not have been a better experience,” she said. “No one wants to do the prep, but once you do it, it’s seamless. Everyone at St. Elizabeth Physicians Gastroenterology was professional, informative, kind—I can’t say enough about that staff.”

Now, when Cathy advocates for others to get their colonoscopy screening, she can relate from personal experience. “I can say, ‘don’t do what I did. Don’t put it off,’” she said. “I’m passionate about it now. When I got my results, I can’t say how good I felt—it was profound.”