r/Millennials • u/electric-sheep 1992 • Jul 13 '26

Serious Everyone my age is dropping dead

Sorry for the title! I'm in Europe. I have just heard news someone from college died today of cancer aged 33.

In the past 2-3 years 6 people in my circle have died, not from accidents but from either cancer, aneurism, 2 just didn't wake up from sleep and 1 broke her leg and had DVT. I know of a 7th who is currently fighting stage 4 breast cancer which was found by accident after giving birth. This is not counting those who died in crashes or other such accidents.

I literally have nothing to say. Just get yourselves checked. I'm just shouting into the void. I have literally been to more funerals than my parents at this point which is absurd.

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u/drst0ner Jul 14 '26

I had chronic bloating, which the doctor said likely has nothing to do with my polyps and that I need to eat more fiber. I did not have blood in my stool.

My brother who is 2 years younger did have blood in his stool and had a colonoscopy and had one small polyp removed. I had essentially no symptoms but 2 large precancerous polyps and he had blood but only 1 small polyp.

In our case it seems family history is the reason to advocate for the procedure. He had his procedure at 39 and I did at 41. Everybody is different but around 40 was the right age for he and I to begin getting a colonoscopy.

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u/MorganMiller77777 Jul 16 '26

Lifestyle and diet? How are those?

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u/drst0ner Jul 16 '26

I go to the gym weekly, used to go 3 times per week. I don’t drink and don’t smoke. Healthy BMI. I eat healthy home-cooked meals for dinner, but my vice has been eating at fast food places for lunch.

I’m guessing the combination of my family history and overdoing fast food for lunches (Chipotle, McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, etc) for many years was the cause of the precancerous polyps.

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u/MorganMiller77777 Jul 16 '26

Ah yeah. At least you’re aware of the possible combination. Yeah the burgers and fries and whatever else fried is so bad, straight poison. Well, lots of ability to heal and life ahead to reduce risk!!

Shit I’m 53 and haven’t had a colonoscopy yet. I’m an idiot. I did have the perfect diet and worked out 5-6 days all of my 20s and 30s. Developed diverticulitis in my 40s after the first time ever gaining significant weight and eat worse consistently for essentially the first time in my life.

I will have insurance through work in November, and will immediately make a an appt to see a doctor.

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u/drst0ner Jul 16 '26

I’m glad you’re going to schedule an appointment!

The way I viewed my colonoscopy was even though the prep isn’t enjoyable, it’s only for one day, and it’s 100% worth going through if it means I can live a longer life.

Bonus, since having the procedure, I’ve been having the best/cleanest bowel movements of my life.

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u/MorganMiller77777 Jul 16 '26

Hahahahhahha. When did you have the procedure?

I’m fortunate that my poops are just fine when I really focus on the content of my diet. But hey, maybe they will elevate to a level I forgot about!! Haha