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missD

Joined: 19-Aug-2007
Posts: 18
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:41 pm
Post topic: test for colon cancer		  
Tammy Faye Baker (I can't remember her latest married name) just died of colon cancer - I remember when she first said she had it that she didn't want to tell her doctor about symptoms or let him do any tests because she was too embarrassed. It seems there should be some less invasive ways to find out if someone has this.
Tags: medical-tests
 
Author Messages

RavenCares

Joined: 25-Jul-2007
Posts: 197
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 04:41 am
Post topic: test for colon cancer		  
It was so sad to see Tammy Faye Bakker Mesner whittle away down to nothing. I also remember how she said that she wouldn't let her doctor perform a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy out of embarassment. I agree that it would be great if the medical community comes up with a less embarassing test. I do believe I read something recently that they're working on a screening test that people won't be so hesitant to get.
 
Author Messages

Cheerful

Joined: 14-Aug-2007
Posts: 123
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:48 pm
Post topic: test for colon cancer		  
I know somany many men that are reluctant to go in for that exam. I hope they come up with something less invasive soon so more people will get it checked out. (The prostate cancer test is just a blood test, so it seems like they should beable to come up with something for colon cancer.) My grandfather had colon cancer years ago but they caught it in time for treatment and he's been well and healthy ever since. That inspired my other family memers to go in for thier check ups and they're all gald they did it.
 
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Cheerful

Joined: 14-Aug-2007
Posts: 123
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 03:32 am
Post topic: test for colon cancer		  
Hey, folks, I just found an article about testing for colon cancer: An under used colon cancer screening test now available in the U.S. effectively detects colorectal cancer and may help to improve colon cancer screening rates, according to investigators at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. The study appears in the September 25, 2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). Improved Fecal Occult Blood Tests (FOBT) called Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FITs), look for human blood in the stool and are more effective at detecting cancers and polyps than the older and more widely used stool screening tests -- the guaiac tests (GTs), The FIT had a sensitivity of 81.8% for detecting colorectal cancers and a specificity of 96.9%. The GT was 64.3% sensitive for detecting colorectal cancers and 90.1% specific. The higher specificity of the FIT means that there are fewer false positive results and, therefore, fewer interventional procedures need to be performed in patients without disease. FIT is more specific than the sensitive GT for detecting cancers and polyps because it detects human blood in the stool. The GT, on the other hand, detects peroxidase activity found in both human and non-human blood as well as in many vegetables such as broccoli and horseradish. This can lead to more false positives, explained the researchers.
 
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RavenCares

Joined: 25-Jul-2007
Posts: 197
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 03:38 am
Post topic: test for colon cancer		  
Cheerful, thanks for letting us know about the improved stool testing for colon cancer. That is so great! Maybe more people can get screened soon without having to go thru the embarassment and discomfort of a sigmoidoscopy.
 
 
 

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