She Thought She Didn’t Need a Colonoscopy—Until She Turned 51 #shorts

21 Oct 2026 · 1 min

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0:56

In this YouTube Short, Dr. Tabatha Barber recounts a brief personal health anecdote. She describes experiencing chest pressure after meals, which she initially attributes to a possible hiatal hernia and plans to address with an upper endoscopy (EGD). Her ex‑husband, a gastroenterologist, points out that at age 51 she is overdue for a colonoscopy and persuades her to add that screening to her appointment. The exchange is light‑hearted, with a touch of humor about being called “old,” and underscores the importance of age‑based colon cancer screening and how personal relationships with medical professionals can influence preventive care decisions.

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Thank you for that, but I would argue I didn't actually need a colonoscopy. Here's what went down: I was having symptoms of heartburn and reflux, or more so a pressure in my chest after eating. And when I would stretch my arms out, raise them up, I noticed the pressure would go away. So I was thinking, okay, I might have a hiatal hernia. What's going on? So I was going to have an EGD done, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. That's a hard word.
I just say
EGD. Yep, EGD. But my ex-husband's a gastroenterologist. Some of you may know that. And he talked me into getting a colonoscopy in addition. Like, just, you're 51, he said. You are way past due. You have to have a colonoscopy.
He called you old, which was rude.
He did call me old. So I gave in.