Posted on 10/27/2014 2:22:29 PM PDT by TurboZamboni
Starting Monday, millions of people who have avoided colon cancer screening can get a new home test that's noninvasive and doesn't require the icky preparation most other methods do. The test is the first to look for cancer-related DNA in stool. But deciding whether to get it is a more complex choice than ads for "the breakthrough test ... that's as easy as going to the bathroom" make it seem. On one hand, the test could greatly boost screening for a deadly disease that too few people get checked for now. On the other hand, it could lure people away from colonoscopies and other tests that, unlike the new one, have been shown to save lives. It might even do both. "It looks promising," but its impact on cancer risk and survival isn't known, said Dr. Barnett Kramer, a National Cancer Institute screening expert.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
“I don’t see how this kind of test can remove any pre-cancerous polyps. During a real colonoscopy the doctor removes these so they don’t develop further.”
Yes and no opportunity for biopsies. I have to get them due to my UC. Colon cancer with UC has a very low survival rate.
Huh? They practically force you to get a colonoscopy. I've successfully fended off the attempts by telling them I'd immediately commit suicide if a result came back positive.
It doesn’t. It looks for blood that could suggest a tumor and DNA that could be a sign of cancer or precancerous cells.
If positive, the next step is a colonoscopy.
No anesthesia, and it really wasn't all that uncomfortable. Mine was the third one that day that didn't use any, and the Doc told me that was a record. Some folks tolerate the procedure better than others - he told me the lady before me HAD to be at least a little uncomfortable because he was having to push pretty hard. Mine was a breeze, and I'm perfectly serious. They'll let you try it if you want to but you get the IV anyway so just in case you do turn out to be experiencing pain they can shoot you up right then, but I didn't and got to watch the whole thing on the big monitor. Learned a lot. But I didn't get a DVD to give all my friends for Christmas... :-(
Why do I keep hearing the prep is worse than the test? What does the prep involve?
So I bet yesterday you wouldn’t have guessed that you would be asking someone named “Billthedrill” about the details of their colonoscopy. :)
A 24-hour fast and a, er, cleanout by magnesium citrate. You will be VERY familiar with the inside of your bathroom. Liquid-only diet and no colored liquids (red or purple) because they can resemble blood on camera. No alcohol (hey, Doc, beer is a clear liquid, right? No?) For my first one I made the mistake of using regular toilet paper and ended up feeling like I'd been sitting on a belt sander. For the second one, medicated wipes. Sooo much better!
Whatever it is, it's apparently worse than full-blown Ebola.
LOL
God Bless you.
Yeah. I didn't even know it was over when I woke up. I was glad to learn the procedure was finished.
My husband is having his colonoscopy on Halloween. I told him that while he’s asleep on Thursday evening( doubt that he’ll get much sleep). I’m going to paint a pumpkin on his butt. I think the Dr.would be amused.. the hubby not so much. The prep is the worst, already bought the jello, broth and italian Ice.
“That wasn’t an occult blood test?”
I’d be willing to bet that that is the case. I was with Kaiser and they would send out one of those thick envelopes once a year.
Mine was accomplished using GoLytely, which is a polyethylene glycol solution.
One is provided with a gallon of the stuff and expected to consume it over a several hour period. I tried to get the unpleasantness over too quickly and vomited back the last quart. I don't look forward to doing this again.
It's got pineapple flavoring in it.
Yep - that’s sort of old-school but very effective. A friend of mine claims his was relabeled “GoSwiftly”. My citrate treatment was three 10-oz bottles taken over the course of an afternoon and evening. Lots less unsettling but very effective. Oh, my, yes, very very effective... ;-)
If Mayo sells it......I am buying it.
And it will likely be covered if you say that you’ve noticed bleeding back there recently.
Extreme EVACUATION of the intestine by drinking a gallon of stuff that “encourages” it.
“polyethylene glycol”
Is that anti-freeze!? :-)
“They” who?
You have Obamacare?
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