Posted on 01/18/2005 7:33:03 AM PST by JusticeTalion
Potentially cancerous growths missed 95 percent of the time
PHILADELPHIA - A common screening test failed to detect potentially cancerous colon growths 95 percent of the time, falsely reassuring patients and doctors, according to a new study.
Researchers found that the digital, in-office test on stool samples was not as reliable as a six-sample test given to patients to do on their own at home — although even that test detected potentially cancerous growths less than 24 percent of the time.
"What we found is that it was pretty worthless," Dr. David Lieberman, one of the study's authors, said of the in-office test. "It's a wake-up call that we shouldn't be relying on this test."
God bless our troops wherever they may be.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
But ohmygawd is it painful! I had a CT scan, then had to have a colonoscopy a few months later. I'll take that ANY DAY! Yes, the prep is a pain, but I was able to plan an approach to drinking the liquids. I have my one year re-check coming up next month, and have no fear nor concern about it.
Please don't be afraid. There's really nothing to it. Here comes my colonoscopy story...haha...seriously your worst enemy in this thing is your own hesitancy.
My father died of colon cancer at the age of 56 in 1987. For about 10 years I was bleeding rectally and telling myself it was just hemorrhoids until my husband insisted that I get it checked. He threatened to drag me to the doctor if I didn't make the appointment myself. My first appointment was with my GP who said just what I assumed, probably just hemorrhoids, but sent me to an internal guy to follow up.
When I went in for the colonoscopy, the doctor was happily chatting with me until he found the polyp that was located about 7 inches into my colon. It was the size of a quarter and completely blood red. He suddenly got really quiet. Fortunately, it was the only polyp I had, but it turned out to be cancerous. The problem is, one can have 100's of polyps, all having the potential of turning cancerous. I was awake for this first colonoscopy so I saw everything - he removed the polyp by sort of lassoing it with a wire and tightening it. I assure you I felt nothing. Only uncomfortable part was when he went all the way up to the top transverse part of the colon, you could feel the scope pressing upwards. But the second one I had, I was in a "twilight sleep" and felt absolutely nothing as was described in an earlier post.
I know it sounds corny, but really you could be saving your own life, especially if like me you have a family history.
Sorry if that's way too much info...
Also, my insurance didn't cover the CT scan, so it was pretty expensive over all. I did wrap it with a heart and lung scan at the same time - I figured that since I was there anyway...
LOL, then what's my excuse - I'm a girl. They told me in the recovery room that it happens to everyone because they have to blow air into the colon to open it up - it's kind of like a flat hose - unless that was just a line to diminish my humiliation?
Nawww...appreciate all the encouragement I can get.
Thanks
The recovery room reminded me of that scene in Blazing Saddles when everyone was around the campfire.
I asked for the pills last time....because it was a NEW doc he would NOT give them to me....said because of their high sodium or something or other, that I would have to have been through the procedure with him one other time before he will allow them....needless to say, I was a little unhappy....plus, and this is probably WAY more info than needed, it appears I have a VERY curvy colon....lots and twists and turns.....just takes me more time to empty it out, evidently....which means I get to endure the pre-op LONGER than MOST. One more year, and I get to go back....oh, whoopee....NOT.
that is reasonable
How....and at the same time? (I'm turning 53 and my doc suggested I have this done...but I'm scared sh_tless... LOL!)
As a physician myself, I am sometimes a bad patient and put things off although I know better. This year, however, I was motivated to get my colonoscopy after one of my friends who worked at the Hospital died of colon cancer this Fall in his early 50's. Another Hospital worker, one who even worked in colonoscopy, also waited until his late 50's to have it done and they discoverd colon cancer then. The surgeons and the pathologists had their's done in their mid-40's as they got spooked at the early colon cancer they see.
The "worst" part was the prep and it is no worse than having the "runs" for a day.
For the procedure itself, I had the "good stuff" (Diprivan)for sedation. You fall asleep, you wake up, it's all over, you go home wide awake without residual effects.
While starting the sedation, the anesthesiologist told me her brother had died of colon cancer. I asked how old he was and she said 63........He was a surgeon who had never bothered to get one until it was too late.
During my colonoscopy, they found one polyp. It was benign but the thing about colon cancer is that it starts out with benign lesions that turn to cancer many years later. It is a disease that practically yells out, "Hey, fool! I'm giving you a chance here!!" The polyps are taken out at the same time as the colonoscopy and you don't feel it. You only know about it later.
My friend's death that motivated me to get the colonoscopy may have saved me from the colon cancer I may have developed 10 years from now.
So, don't be scared.
Get your appointment and ask for the "good drugs".
Thanks...I will.
And I will ask him to slip me some VIOXX....my arthritis is killing me!
It's amazing how easy the actual procedure seems.
The gastroenterologist also looked at my esophagus and stomach during the same session as the colonoscopy (although not with the same tool, he assured me). I knew nothing about the endo, but woke up enough to watch part of the colon exam. No pain involved.
They did both during one session because I have some heart problems, and they put me in the hospital and had me wired up. Also, I had to come off warfarin for the procedure and the doc didn't want to repeat that unnecessarily.
I really dreaded the stomach exam, but it turned out that I didn't know a thing about it. Fortunately, everything there was normal.
The preps are much better than formerly. No more go-lightly (shades of Tiffany's breakfast) or nu-lightly. The new drugs are marginally amnesia inducing. Still, it's no fun; somewhere between a sharp stick in the eye and having a hangnail.
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