Posted on 08/03/2010 7:02:24 PM PDT by Nachum
Tel Aviv University (TAU) researchers have discovered that routine blood tests can provide an early warning for colorectal cancer.
Anemia, a common blood disorder characterized by low hemoglobin levels, has long been associated with those suffering from colorectal cancer. It doesn't happen suddenly, however - and Tel Aviv University researchers say they have found that gradually decreasing hemoglobin levels can actually indicate a potential for colon cancer years in advance.
Graduate student Inbal Goldshtein, who works with Dr. Gabriel Chodick and Dr. Varda Shalev of TAU's School of Public Health and Maccabi Healthcare Services' Department of Medical Informatics, says that paying close attention to routine blood test results can be an effective screening system for colon cancer. Though some 50,000 Americans are expected to die from colon cancer in 2010, better screening leading to early diagnosis and effective treatment can significantly reduce those numbers, she says.
(Excerpt) Read more at israelnationalnews.com ...
yeah.
Much cheaper as well and since colon cancer is a slow grower normally hemoglobin levels seems a good alternative to rear chute imaging.
Late night talk show host and stand up comedians hurt the most.
No mention of how many roto-rooter tests almost kill the patients.
They do? Docs always tell you that they are so safe!
considering the nasty history of colon and prostate cancer in my family (my dad got it in his early fifties) I’m afraid I’ll be doing both for securitys sake.
I didn’t mind the colonoscopy, but the preparation damn near killed me!
Be glad you survived.
I have been scarfing broccoli three times a week since the article came out last week. That, and reminding the Missus of the necessity of keeping the tubes clean.
My dentist is going to be pissed!
A good alternative versus having a scope shoved up where the sun won’t shine ! I am sure this will be banned by ObamaCare.
I woke up and a pretty nurse told me to fart. You don’t hear that everyday.
I lost weight and was told I had the nicest colon in the county.
On the subject of Colonoscopies...
Colonoscopies are no joke, but these comments during the exam were quite
humorous.... A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made
by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their
colonoscopies:
1. ‘Take it easy, Doc. You’re boldly going where no man has gone before!’
2.. ‘Find Amelia Earhart yet?’
3. ‘Can you hear me NOW?’
4. ‘Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?’
5. ‘You know, in Arkansas , we’re now legally married.’
6. ‘Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?’
7. ‘You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...’
8. ‘Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!’
9. ‘If your hand doesn’t fit, you must quit!’
10. ‘Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.’
11. ‘You used to be an executive at Enron, didn’t you?’
12. ‘God, now I know why I am not gay.’
And the best one of all:
13. ‘Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?’
And then there is this not to be missed commentary:
http://www.andrewgottesman.com/humor/dave_barry_colonoscopy.pdf
LOL!
ROTFLOL!
DUDE!!!
Infections are a common complication.
I know what you mean, the actual colonoscopies were a breeze compared to the prep.
I asked my doctor if he was Captain Kirk because he was boldly going where no man has gone before.
That said. I would rather the MD get a visual image and take a biopsy sample immediately if something is there. Ill pass on the blood test being the only method of detection.
Same and then she said if i didn’t start “tootin like a train” I wasn’t leaving. Having had several I can confirm the “prep” is the worst although some cleansing routines are more tolerable than others.
Enuff eh.
After my last one, I was told they would be replaced by high resolution 3-d MRIs by the time I needed another. Assuming the US recovers from obama.
good ones!!!!
I asked my doctor if he was Captain Kirk because he was boldly going where no man has gone before.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hey Doc, find any Klingons around Uranus????
As opposed to Mr Sulu, who has gone where lots of men have gone before.
“Scoping for Dollars”
My doctor who is quite the stiff, dead-pan type asked me if I did the pre-operative prep and was ready to proceed with the colonoscopy.
To which I exclaimed, “I’m cleaner than a rifle barrel Doc, you won’t need to wear a raincoat with me!”
The endoscopy nurse is still rolling on the floor laughing I believe.
Is that under the 3 or 5 year plan?
I had my first after years of procrastination (much to my internist’s chagrin) and the posts are correct: the prep is the worst part. Fortunately, only 2 benign polyps. So you fellow cowards out there, take my advice and get it done. The bark is much worse than the bite lol.
There is also a non-invasive virtual colonoscopy.
Meanwhile, in the Arab world, leading researchers have discovered...
...
...
...
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...not one thing in the last 900 years.
There are risks associated with any medical procedure.
Risks include perforations (increased risk in elderly patients) or reaction to the sedative. There have been several reports of patients getting hepatitis because of unsterilized contaminated colonoscopy equipment or reused needles/vials:
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/features/va-hospital-colonoscopy-malpractice.html
Also, colonoscopies work better in some parts of the colon:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/714471
Y'all went to the wrong guy: I told my anesthesiologist to note that my weight is above the norm (And so is my height...) so he dosed me up good; I went to sleep in the little prep stall, and that's where I woke up an hour or so later!
I coded during a routine colonoscopy. Fortunately, it was done in a hospital and was tended to quickly.
Or Movi-Prep.
No kidding. My husband was one of the one in 3000 whose polyp excision site opened back up - two weeks after the colonoscopy...he thought he was having problems with his hemorrhoids. It got bad real fast and he got a ride to the hospital and two units of blood. When they say watch for bleeding for up to two weeks, they really mean two weeks!
Son had a colonoscopy last week—early thirties.
Goes to prep room and tells the nurse—”Gee, I never imagined the deck of the Enterprise would look like this.”
Nurse says,”Oh. Colonoscopy!”
She got it. To go where no man has gone before.
7 years because I have zero risk factors. Probably 7 years is the new obama cutback to reduce costs under obamacare.
Haven’t had a Colonoscopy yet, but after my first (and thus far only) vigorous prostate check, I told the doc he might be missing his watch. I got not even a chuckle.
Thank you for that link. I am trying to avoid the standard test. :-|
It's the preparation at home the night before that's a bummer. But not painful either. It's just, shall we say, not inviting.
Colonoscopys are a vital thing, and if your doc orders one DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to avoid it.
If the doc clears you, you'll feel exhilirated, believe me.....and so pleased with yourself.
Leni
I had one without sedatives once and it was not so bad. I then had one with sedatives and really, that is the way to go. You are basically awake, but you have no short term memory, so you don’t remember if it hurt or not.
I would just get the standard test so in case them find something, they can take it out immediately.
I have had many surgical procedures. It is the anesthesia that I fear. I had one very scary experience that has scarred me.
All doctors order colonoscopys after a certain age.
I liked the pineapple flavor prep at first, but after the 3rd or 4th glass, I swore off pineapple flavored anything.
I had Fentanyl which is an analgesic and Versed, which created amnesia. I only recall the last 1 or 2 minutes out of 20 when the drugs started to wear off. However, you are technically awake during the procedure with this drug combo, but you don’t remember it because the Versed blocks your ability to store memories. Seriously, I’ve had more pain stubbing my toe than from either of the two colonoscopies I’ve had.
Thanks for the info. I don’t fear pain, I fear anesthesia. But if Fentanyl is an analgesic then I will check into that.
By chance, I have an appointment with my doctor next week.
Movi-Prep is what FF took. He is never going to forgive me for pushing him into getting his & it was normal. You think he would have been happy! I had some atomic lime tasting nasty stuff. I still don’t know how I got that stuff down. But I am glad I got mine. I am wondering if I better get another one before 0-care begins.
Oh h*ll yeah.
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