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I was hoping for the same result. Whether one has a colonoscpy is their choice but it is prudent to have one done so so one knows where they stand, healthwise. |
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For those participating on this thread, here are some questions: Did your doctor inform you that you could die as a result of getting a colonoscopy? Did your doctor inform you that you could get a life-threatening perforated colon? How about risks to the brain from anesthesia? |
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If one wants to go purely on the numbers, then it is a waste of time to consult a doctor who has spent a minimum of 8 years of post-graduate education and training, and then years in practice, to learn to evaluate the numbers and empirical evidence. A thinking, well-read patient would know that even when the odds are that 99 out of 100 patients will have no complications, one could end up 100% screwed even though the practitioner did everything 100% correct by the textbook. We make these same type of decisions every time we decide to get behind the wheel of a car or board an airplane. Nobody knows when or why the kindest, healthiest, most loving and clean-living person you've ever known turns out to be the one who gets killed or maimed in an accident, or gets ravaged by a horrible cancer. All we can conclude is: we don't determine when and how we'll suffer or not suffer, and die....either quickly or slowly. Only God knows when and how we'll go. Prayer asking for guidance on decision-making is powerful. |
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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. |
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:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:
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You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him have a hose attached to well....you get the picture.
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BTW - You can say your going to do something or you can say your not - Either way your right. |
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I think you decided it before this long thread started, so why beat a dead horse on this issue? |
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Any type
It can be very scary to get screened for any type of problems but it can save your life.
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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? |
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If doctors are so proud of the lives they save, why don't they give us the numbers? |
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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. |
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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". |
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They may or may not have made a wise decision. Good luck with making your decision. |
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In either case, John Hopkins has some Health Alerts on the subject that you can read at your leisure...no charge. All Colon Cancer Alerts: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts |
KayakerNC, thank you for posting that link.
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Colonoscopies May Save Lives
I felt I had to respond to this thread since I had two neighbors in SC who died from colon cancer. It is not pretty. One was in her 60's and the other was in his 70's. Neither had ever had a colonoscopy and had no history of colon cancer in their families. I have another friend who had never had one (in his mid 60's), then had his first about a year ago, had polyps, was told it wasn't serious, yet had to go through chemo and radiation for about six months. He is clear now, but goes for semi-annual checkups.
I had one at age 50, was clear, and will go back at age 60. My husband had polyps at age 50, which were removed, and goes back every five years. He has been clear since the first colonoscopy for which we are grateful. I believe in preventive medicine. A little bit of inconvenience is worth not having to go through cancer treatment. |
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But you, KayakerNC, proved all the naysayers wrong. You provided a link to some excellent information about colon cancer. Your link was very helpful in making this thread worthwhile. Thank you, I read about 3/4 of the information provied by the link. In the future I will try to remember "Johns Hopkins Health Alerts." But, you know me, I still have some questions: Before they described about 5 different tests, they said each one has its own risk or risks. But then, as they described each test, they never said what the risk(s) would be for that test. So, in this regard, it seems that Wickipedia turned out to be better. Wikipedia at least gave some of the risks for a colonoscopy. Probably because Wikipedia is not biased by being in the medical business. Also, it said that most polyps remain benign. But that information by itself leaves a lot of questions unanswered. What percentage of polyps remain benign? And how many people out of X number of people have polyps in the first place? How do people with a family history of colon cancer compare with those with no family history? How do vegans compare with those who eat animal protein? I could go on and on with these questions. They did say you could lower your risk by exercising and by other means. But, for example, what does it all add up to if one is at their ideal weight, eats lots of fiber from fresh fruit and vegetables, exercises and has no family history etc.. Does that represent a 50% reduction in risk or a 75% reduction in risk? And what would that be in terms of numbers of people per 100,000? Again, because they are in the medical business, they shy-away from answering these questions because it might encourage people to go untested. |
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:agree: 100% If this threads gets one person to consider having a colonoscopy done, then it is worthwhile. I don't know everything and will be the first to admit that medically trained people have more knowledge than I. That is why I think it's prudent to have a colonoscopy. :popcorn: |
Did anyone see the article in yesterday's Daily Sun? The heading: "Veteran gets $1.25M from US after surgery led to infection"
Search: "VA infection issues lead to 13,000 veterans' tests - msnbc" As many as 13,000 patients may have been exposed to hepititis, HIV, and other diseases because of poor hygiene. The colonoscopy equipment had not been properly cleaned (i.e., not sterilized). And this went on for several years; it was not just a one-time mistake. |
I don't understand why you continue to discuss this. You have made up your mind.
Do you want to talk others out of tests that identify cancer that can still be treated? Nothing is without risk. Nothing. And human error and crummy hospitals still exist....everywhere. It is for each of us to find the best answer for ourselves and live with it, or sadly die with it. |
Unfortunately, both my wife and I are not "doctor people."
HOWEVER, she was not feeling well and I convinced her to get checked out. After a colonoscopy was completed it was determined that she had colo-rectal cancer. She has just finished radiation and chemo treatments and this Thursday (11/29) we visit the surgeon to see how much was shrunk and when he will perform the surgery to remove it. Actually, all seems to look good - we hope! We had to cancel our Lifestyle Preview in October but have re-booked for January. Hopefully all will be right by then. OH - the reason for this post - I am 62 and have never had a colonoscopy. As soon as my wife is well, I will be booking my first one !!!! |
ugotme, I'm sending my wishes for your wife's return to good health soon! I had my first colonoscopy 3 weeks ago, and I'm a pretty wimpy person, but it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The prep work is the hardest part; the procedure itself is not that big a deal since you should be fast asleep. Best of luck to you and your wife, and I hope you are able to take your Lifestyle Preview visit in January.
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I am confident that I will "see" you all in January! We are looking - and looking to buy!!!! |
I'm going in for a double ender tomorrow morning. Gotta start drinking the juice at 5PM today. No solids after 1PM today. Hope the juice taste better than it looks (probably worse). I have done the upper several times but for that you only need to fast (no juice).
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Looking to find a senior community with ACTIVITIES! We are in one in So. Fl. but it is BORING ! |
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The reason I brought up the Daily Sun article about contaminated colonoscopy equipment is basically the same reason it was printed in the newspaper. It's news that people should know about. I think full disclosure, in the long run, is a good thing. The public is unlikely to demand better medical treatment if they don't know what's going on. So the first step is to know what's going on. Rather than behave in a hapless/helpless manor, I would hope that some patients take the inititive to ask if the equipment is being sterilized according to hospital regulations. Is there a special device made for this purpose? Do they have it? Do they use it? Let's stop acting like doctors are gods and that patients are supposed to be dumb. |
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