Re: Colonoscopy Concerns? Take a Friend With You

Can I have a friend do the prep for me?

Jim Higgins wrote:
| Colonoscopy Concerns? Take a Friend With You
| http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=6057527&page=1
|
| One Doctor Suggests Easing Colonoscopy Concerns by Sharing the
| Experience ESSAY by MARIE SAVARD, M.D.
| ABC News Medical Contributor
|
| Oct. 20, 2008 ?
|
| Hardly a week goes by that I don't hear about someone losing the
| battle
| to colon cancer. And each and every time I ask how this could happen,
| when today we have the ability to diagnose colon cancer years before
| it will spread -- and often in a precancerous polyp stage.
|
| Why weren't they screened for colon cancer? Didn't they know the
| statistics? Except for lung cancer, which is usually caused by smoking
| and diagnosed in late stages because there are no reliable early
| screening tests, colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in
| men and second only to breast cancer as a cause of cancer death in
| women.
|
| While it's tempting to simply avoid getting checked for colon cancer
| --
| and surveys show that less than half of us are getting checked because
| of what many patients refer to as the big "hassle factor" -- the
| feeling
| of relief after being tested and the assurance you have done all you
| can
| to prevent this disease is tremendous after the exam.
|
| I am proud to say that I have had my colonoscopy so I can speak
| directly from experience. The hassle of being checked is well worth
| the peace of mind.
|
| Screening Recommendations
|
| Last week the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its 2002
| recommendations on colorectal cancer screening. The group is emphatic
| that standard colonoscopies should be performed every 10 years,
| beginning at age 50 and continuing until age 75. Additionally, the
| group recommends a stool sample test for hidden or microscopic blood
| be
| performed each year starting at age 50.
|
| The task force recommends against routine screening for adults 76 to
| 85 years old, unless doctors feel that the patient's personal history
| warrants it. They make this recommendation for our oldest seniors
| because current research shows that, in this age group, finding an
| early polyp or precancerous or even cancerous problem is unlikely to
| change
| the ultimate outcome.
|
| It is thought that many older seniors will die sooner from heart
| disease
| or another problem long before any colon problem will be evident.
| However, if you are a healthy 80-year-old with no serious health
| problems, talk to your doctor about getting screened.
|
| After age 85, the task force recommends that no screening for colon
| cancer (or other cancers for that matter) should be done, because
| research suggests that the risks outweigh the benefits in our very
| oldest seniors.
|
| Virtual Colonoscopies
|
| The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, unlike the American Cancer
| Society, does not recommend virtual colonoscopies over the traditional
| approach. The group emphasizes that despite recent studies showing
| some possible benefit, more research is needed.
|
| Yet many people are now talking about getting this newer X-ray test in
| hopes of: 1) avoiding the bowel preparation they have heard so much
| about (even though a completely empty bowel is still needed so the
| preparation/liquid drink can't be avoided); and 2) avoiding the
| anesthesia required for the colonoscopy. (You do avoid the anesthesia,
| but the installation of air to keep the bowel wall open during the
| exam
| can be uncomfortable.)
|
| And to complicate things further, if your doctor finds a small polyp
| or abnormality on the virtual X-ray test, you will need to take the
| bowel preparation all over again and return for the standard
| colonoscopy. Only during the standard colonoscopy can your doctor
| take a biopsy of a suspicious area or remove a polyp.
|
| So far, most experts say they believe there is nothing better than the
| full, standard colonoscopy done by a doctor with lots of experience.
| And the good news is that most GI doctors now have tons of experience
| doing colonoscopies, so not finding the right doctor is rarely a good
| excuse.
|
| Far fewer doctors and facilities today have the experience it may take
| to get the best results with virtual colonoscopy. So stay tuned for
| more doctor research and experience!
|
| Getting Screened
|
| So what do I recommend for all adults?
|
| Starting at age 40 everyone should have a regular rectal exam, which
| is
| a preliminary test for colon cancer. It's simple. You roll over on
| your side and your doctor inserts a gloved finger in your anus. Or
| you can
| have the test done during your pelvic exam. It should be routinely
| performed as part of the bimanual exam; while the patient is in
| stirrups, the doctor inserts a finger in the rectum to check for
| masses
| and to get stool to check for hidden blood.
|
| Starting at age 50 everyone should talk to their doctor about the
| following:
|
| Colonoscopy: This an examination of the colon with a flexible, lighted
| tube. It should be performed every 10 years to help screen for colon
| cancer. If a polyp is found, the test will be repeated more often.
|
| Stool Occult Blood Test: This test is designed to find hidden (occult)
| blood in the stool. You do it yourself at home using stool cards that
| you return to your doctor. Your doctor will give you the cards with
| instructions. The presence of blood can signal precancerous or
| cancerous polyps in the colon or intestinal bleeding from such causes
| as a stomach ulcer, internal hemorrhoids or severe colitis. All men
| and women ages 50
| or older should do this test every year.
|
| If you have a family history of polyps, colon cancer or severe
| colitis,
| you should talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening earlier
| and more often. For some, your doctor may suggest you begin with an
| annual stool check and periodic colonoscopy at age 40, or five years
| earlier
| than the age of disease onset for any family member.
|
| Finally, consider asking a friend or family member to get a screening
| colonoscopy with you. I call it a form of "paying it forward." By
| encouraging a friend or family member to be tested along with you, one
| more person will be assured they have done their part to prevent colon
| cancer.
|
| I encouraged my best friend to have her colonoscopy along with me --
| and
| we laughed and empathized with each other as we drank the necessary
| liquid to prepare us for the procedure. My friend had a family history
| of colon cancer, yet she was afraid to be tested. She had tremendous
| peace of mind when she learned her exam was normal.
|
| With today's technologies, there is no reason anyone should be
| diagnosed with colon cancer.
|
| Have you been tested for colon cancer? Consider encouraging your
| partner
| or friend to be tested, too.
|
| Wishing you good health.
|
| Dr. Marie Savard is an ABC News medical contributor. To learn more
| about Savard's health management system, download free forms and a
| sample
| letter to your doctor, visit http://www.drsavard.com and click on
| "Learn how to take charge of your health."


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