Following the passing of longtime Detroit sports voice Jamie Samuelsen, who died in August at the age of 48 after battling colon cancer, Local 4′s Hank Winchester decided to make an appointment for a colonoscopy. Winchester, who is in a similar age group, decided to document the experience, to show those who may be avoiding it what the process entails. Watch Hank’s video blog in the video player above to follow his journey. In 2020, 12% of colorectal cancer cases will be diagnosed in people under 50 – about 18,000 cases. Rates have been increasing since the mid-1980s in adults ages 20-39 years and since the mid-1990s in adults ages 40-54 years, with younger age groups experiencing the steepest increase.

Hank Winchester got his first colonoscopy to find out what you can expect and to explain why the examination is so critical. The test is easy, Hank said. But like Jamie, Im in my 40s and have a family. Simple, but critical testThe colonoscopy is a simple test, but its critical for early detection. RELATED: Video diary: Hank Winchester chronicles colonoscopy experienceMORE: Health news and resources

I actually met Dr. Szilagy at last year's American Cancer Society Relay for Life in West Bloomfield. The whole process started with a consultation, where Dr. Szilagy assessed my medical history and current physical condition, and explained how the procedure works. Dr. Szilagy then came over, and I expected the standard "everything looks fine," line that he probably gives a lot of patients. If you've been putting off your colonoscopy because you're scared, don't be. Colon cancer kills about 50,000 people a year.