Ordinarily, this column is not the place to look into for any kind of medical advice. However, I give this insight because the name of the column is "Over 60...and getting younger." Also, I had a personal experience and I wish to pass what I learned on to my beloved readers.

About six years ago, I attended the funeral service of a wonderful and kind woman who belonged to my synagogue. Her son stepped to the lectern and read a letter from his deceased mother. She wrote, "Please go to your physicians and request a test for colon cancer. It is a simple test and it may save you from the horrible, degrading and painful death, which I have fallen victim to. Please follow my advice"

I was stunned and not knowledgeable about this fatal disease but I approached my physicians and requested this test. She was surprised at my request and referred me to a proctologist. I was given a sigmoidoscopy, which was the definitive test six years ago. Colon cancer is the nation's number two cancer killer. For patients at age 50, medical guidelines call for annual testing for blood in the patient's stool. Another test six years ago was the fecal blood test.

Today, colonoscopy has replaced the sigmodoscopy and the fecal blood test. Quoting Dr. David A. Lieberman, chief of gastroenterology at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oregon, "Colonoscopy currently is the best available test we have."

Colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure which uses a flexible lighted viewing tube that lets a doctor see the sedated patient's entire colon and immediatly biopsy any suspicious growths. Unlike a sigmoidoscopy which only views the descending colon, the colonoscopy views the entire colon.

Due to a bout with diverticulosis (troublesome pockets forming in the intestines) I have just completed my first colonoscopy. I was sedated and the procedure was painless. The peace of mind that occurs after knowing you have been screened is very satisfying.

In my mind, I thank that wonderful lady who died, for sending the posthumous message to her friends and warning them of the ravages of colon cancer.

I am now doing the same service to my readers.