Friend canceled colonoscopy morning of out of fear of what would be found

[Anonymous]

Anything I can say to reassure her? I understand health anxiety and have suffered from it. She's been dreading the colonoscopy, finally made the appointment, I was all set to bring her...and she texted saying she was too scared of the results to do it.
She is not having any symptoms; she is going because she's 45.
Any reassuring stats or links I can share with her? My understanding is cancer is rarely found if you are asymptomatic. But the headlines of "rising cancer" have paralyzed her. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It’s an irrational decision, but I’m sure she knows that. She needs to seek professional help for her anxiety. Until the anxiety is addressed, you probably aren’t going to make any headway. I’d focus on convincing her to seek MH treatment.

Honestly, I’m surprised they let her get away with canceling. My doctor’s office charges something like $500 for cancellations with less than 7 days notice.

[Anonymous]

i'm not doing your googling for you but yes i was also scared and also found reassurance online. Fewer than like 5 in 1k colonoscopies or even fewer find cancer in a 45 yo woman.

[Anonymous]

She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

+1. I hope they charge her for the cancellation. This is ridiculous beyond belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

+1. I hope they charge her for the cancellation. This is ridiculous beyond belief.

The thing is: Anxiety isn't logical.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I felt like cancelling too. I didn’t dread the results, but I absolutely dreaded the prep. Be sympathetic, but push her to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

+1. I hope they charge her for the cancellation. This is ridiculous beyond belief.

The thing is: Anxiety isn't logical.

So what? She took someone else’s spot. There should be consequences for this level of selfishness

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

+1. I hope they charge her for the cancellation. This is ridiculous beyond belief.

The thing is: Anxiety isn't logical.

So what? She took someone else’s spot. There should be consequences for this level of selfishness

Uh...oh my.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

+1. I hope they charge her for the cancellation. This is ridiculous beyond belief.

The thing is: Anxiety isn't logical.

So what? She took someone else’s spot. There should be consequences for this level of selfishness

Well she was pretty much crapping all night so there's that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

+1. I hope they charge her for the cancellation. This is ridiculous beyond belief.

The thing is: Anxiety isn't logical.

So what? She took someone else’s spot. There should be consequences for this level of selfishness

Well she was pretty much crapping all night so there's that.

Seriously. That’s some heavy-duty anxiety to cancel AFTER going through the hell of prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

+1. I hope they charge her for the cancellation. This is ridiculous beyond belief.

The thing is: Anxiety isn't logical.

Well, OP isn’t going to be able to convince her. She needs professional help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She DID THE PREP and then cancelled?

Your friend is really insuperably silly.

This! The prep is the worst part. Also I would have much more anxiety about colon cancer than the test

[Anonymous]

Honestly, at 45 with no family history, it's very likely nothing would have been found.

But like others, I can't believe she did the prep and then declined to reap the benefits of her sacrifice!

I have anxiety and a panic disorder, but I would never do that

[Anonymous]

Colon cancer is preventable of polyps are removed before becoming cancerous.

The likelihood of her having anything is low, but if there is something there, the sooner it is discovered, the better her chances.

Would she be more comfortable doing a stool test? Maybe she can work her way up to colonoscopy, but colonoscopy is best and if it's all clear she won't have to go for 10 years.

I have health anxiety and while it's a challenge, I know I would have a hard time if the doctors said you waited too long. That motivates me to get preventive screening.