[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Is there an art to colonoscopy? How would I know if the doctor has this art mastered? Regardless of how many years a doctor spends in school, he or she might be a colon-perforating clod. It could be worse than I thought if the numbers don't tell the whole story.

You're right that we do make these decisions every time we get into a car, or airplane. That's why I never fly and limit my driving. I believe in limiting risk.

You're right when you suggest that anything can happen to anyone. I have never doubted that. But there is such a thing as prudently judging and limiting risk. As a matter of fact I have a book tittled, "Examining Your Doctor: A patient's Guide to Avoiding Harmful Medical Care". It was written by, Timothy McCall, M.D..

I guess you could say it was written for those who wish to be informed so as to make prudent judgements/decisions.

All true, but in the end, you or an insurer (public and/or private) are paying a doctor to "make prudent judgement/decisions" about what to prescribe and order for you. It is then your choice to say "yes" or "no".

[2BNTV]

[graciegirl]

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him have a hose attached to well....you get the picture.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him have a hose attached to well....you get the picture.

Nuff said. I got the picture.

BTW - You can say your going to do something or you can say your not - Either way your right.

[skyc6]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

Nuff said. I got the picture.

BTW - You can say your going to do something or you can say your not - Either way your right.

Clearly the advantages to a colonoscopy test far outweigh the risks, but you need to decide that for yourself.
I think you decided it before this long thread started, so why beat a dead horse on this issue?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by skyc6

I am a firm believer in taking advantage of all medical tests available, when needed, or medically suggested.

My daughter, age 39, was having some minor gastrological discomfort, and her Dr. suggested an early colonoscopy, just to be safe. She is a very healthy, non-smoking, non-drinking practicing dietician. She eats very little meat, and is well within her weight guidelines, (unlike her mother! ) She lives down the street from the YMCA, and is there daily.
During her colonoscopy, 2 polyps were found, removed,and it was determined they were pre-cancerous. Now she will repeat her test every 3 years. By all statistics, she was not a candidate for a colonoscopy, but I count myself very blessed that she had one and will continue to have them as needed.
Diet and exercise are incredibly important, but they don't ensure you will never get any kind of illness, and if an illness is preventable, why not do all that you can to prevent it?

Whoa, that was not a very nice comment about your daughter's mother.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

Exactly. Spot on as usual.

You don't on Supermans cape.

You don't spit in the wind.

You don't get a colonoscopy.

And your messin around with your life.

OK. I won't quit my day job.

Yeah, 2BNTV, keep that job! I love you 'cause you're picture is so cute and smiling, and you have a good sense about you. Your poetry skills, however... ;-)

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him have a hose attached to well....you get the picture.

Coffee spit. New keyboard.

[rosehillman]

It can be very scary to get screened for any type of problems but it can save your life.

[Villages PL]

In a 2000 CDC study it was found that 45% of men and 41% of women over 50 had never had a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

A later report by the CDC states that 63% of those 50 to 75 have been screened. That means more than 1/3 of seniors have not been screened (about 1 out of 3).

How come we are not hearing from them on this thread? Perhaps they fear being ridiculed? Gee, I wonder where they would get that idea?

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by rosehillman

It can be very scary to get screened for any type of problems but it can save your life.

I have never doubted that it can save lives. But it can also sacrifice lives. In the study I mentioned earlier, out of 100,000 colonoscopies, 6 lives were lost. I guess you could say they were sacrificed for the "greater good". But no one is telling us what the numbers are for that greater good. Did it save 12 lives for every 100,000 people tested. 20 people suffered perforated colons; did it save 20 lives?

If doctors are so proud of the lives they save, why don't they give us the numbers?

[skyguy79]

---------

[CFrance]

I think we have reached the point of no return on this subject. Those that believe in the test will continue to do it. Those that don't will not.

But my three cents: I hope none of us will ever have to (again, in my case) watch a 40-year-old be ravaged by colon cancer and die.

Or, someday I will give up anguishing over the fact that Steve Jobs had to die because his cancer was operable but he refused the procedure because he did not believe in surgery and felt he could survive on alternative methods.

I acknowledge the OP's convictions, and I pray the OP will never contract colon cancer.

Perhaps we should just retire the thread. Vaya con dios.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I think we have reached the point of no return on this subject. Those that believe in the test will continue to do it. Those that don't will not.

But my three cents: I hope none of us will ever have to (again, in my case) watch a 40-year-old be ravaged by colon cancer and die.

Or, someday I will give up anguishing over the fact that Steve Jobs had to die because his cancer was operable but he refused the procedure because he did not believe in surgery and felt he could survive on alternative methods.

I acknowledge the OP's convictions, and I pray the OP will never contract colon cancer.

Perhaps we should just retire the thread. Vaya con dios.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I have never doubted that it can save lives. But it can also sacrifice lives. In the study I mentioned earlier, out of 100,000 colonoscopies, 6 lives were lost. I guess you could say they were sacrificed for the "greater good". But no one is telling us what the numbers are for that greater good. Did it save 12 lives for every 100,000 people tested. 20 people suffered perforated colons; did it save 20 lives?

If doctors are so proud of the lives they save, why don't they give us the numbers?

I don't see any of my doctors past or present being "so proud of the lives they save". They recommend what is in their patients' best interest, based on scientific studies and clinical trial conclusions, to try to detect deadly disease as early as possible--when it is easiest to treat because it hasn't spread yet to distant parts of the body and to organs.

Early detection has always been a known, significant benefit in treating cancer. The decision to do early detection testing is yours after your doctor recommends and prescribes it.

If you think your decisions are better made by reading books by critics of the medical profession, then don't go to the medical professional for advice. Go to the bookstore and be your own "doctor".