Posted on 02/23/2016 2:14:57 PM PST by originalbuckeye
TORONTO-New Canadian guidelines say colonoscopy should not be used for routine screening to detect colorectal cancer in patients with no symptoms or family history of the disease.
The guidelines from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care strongly recommend that low-risk patients aged 50 to 74 be screened using fecal occult blood tests every two years or sigmoidoscopy every 10 years.
Sigmoidoscopy involves the insertion of a flexible scope to view the lower portion of the colon and rectum rather than the entire tract, as is the case with colonoscopy.
The task force also advises against screening asymptomatic patients age 75-plus because of their reduced life expectancy and the lack of research showing benefit or potential harms of the tests.
Task force member Dr. Scott Klarenbach of the University of Alberta says the guidelines do not apply to high-risk patients who have symptoms or a family history of the disease.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in men and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women. In 2015, an estimated 25,000 Canadians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and approximately 9,300 died from the disease.
"Although colonoscopy may offer clinical benefits that are similar to or greater than those associated with flexible sigmoidoscopy, direct evidence of its efficacy from randomized controlled trials in comparison to the other screening tests . . . is presently lacking," said Dr. Maria Bacchus, an internist at the University of Calgary who chaired the guideline working group.
"However, ongoing clinical trials are working to address this research gap," she said.
The new guidelines are based on the latest available research and update the task force's previous 2001 advice, which recommended fecal occult blood testing every one to two years or sigmoidoscopy every five years in asymptomatic adults.
The Canadian guideline is similar to the 2008 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation that adults aged 50 to 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer using a fecal occult blood test or flexible sigmoidoscopy.
While the U.S. group also recommended colonoscopy, its Canadian counterpart does not believe there is sufficient evidence to support that decision.
The Canadian task force was established to develop clinical practice guidelines for primary-care providers related to a variety of preventive-health issues, based on a systematic analysis of the most recent scientific evidence.
I got a colonoscopy done last summer.
Guess what? My insides were found to be completely free of cancer.
Procedure cost $33,000, including anesthesia.
Next checkup is in ten years’ time.
This is from Canada. A system that many Americans respect and believe is superior care. Many in this country want our health care to be modeled after the Canadian system.
Its also shaping up to literally be a matter of life and death.
Its why I'm in no mood for the BS campaign tactics being employed by certain candidates. I'm not talking about robocalls.
This is not a game. Start looking at the issues folks, compare and contrast candidate policies.
Before its too late.
Behold the nightmare that is single payer healthcare.
"Task force"? Death Panel might be closer to it.
Only 5-10% of new colorectal cancers have a genetic link. Government health care, waiting until you are in pretty bad shape before testing you, if you are in the 90% without a genetic link. And you will die faster so they don't have to spend as much money on you. Government health care must be stopped in this country!
Socialized medicine.
Long waits for limited and substandard health service.
.
I’m so glad I’m voting for Trump.
He has advocated lowering state lines so insurance companies can compete nation-wide for our insurance dollars, and provide better care to attract our business.
That’s free enterprise, the Capitalist system at it’s finest.
The state paid for my care.
Quite frankly, I hated the ordeal and waste of money given I am asymptomatic and have no family history of colorectal cancer.
There are far better things to spend $33,000 on.
They're obviously unaware of the thousands of Canadians crossing the border into the US to access our medical care.
That’s an astounding number.
The typical cost is around 2 grand.
Colonoscopies are needed.
I wasn’t polyps free. I’ve had them removed twice.
Reagan had that problem.
I may not like the procedure, but then I’m thinking I’d not like the outcome of not having it more.
Procedure cost $33,000, including anesthesia.
....
You got ripped off.
https://healthcarebluebook.com/page_ProcedureDetails.aspx?id=73&dataset=MD
I have refused having a colonoscopy for years.
My doctor finally gave up.
Here I am-—83 years old.
.
We are already living in a Socialist Society. People can get food, housing and free health care already. Lots of people do not work because of freebees. This country is a freebee country for lots and lots of people, who are now dependent on government.
I’m not surprised. The government never pays the actual cost of health care.
No wonder a non-profit hospital can make a financial killing on such a simple procedure.
The real question is does the sigmoidoscopy involve the cleanse. Anything to avoid the day of deliberately induced explosive diarrhea.
Illiterates the problems with government health care. Medical decisions made because of financial reasons.
“Many in this country want our health care to be modeled after the Canadian system.”
Everybody who tells me how great the Canadian healthcare system is either an American or a healthy Canadian.
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