Colonoscopies Miss Many Cancers, Study Finds

[groovedaddy]

For years, many doctors and patients thought colonoscopies, the popular screening test for colorectal cancer, were all but infallible. Have a colonoscopy, get any precancerous polyps removed, and you should almost never get colon cancer.

Then, last spring, researchers reported the test may miss a type of polyp, a flat lesion or an indented one that nestles against the colon wall. And now, a Canadian study, published Tuesday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, found the test, while still widely recommended, was much less accurate than anyone expected.

In the new study, the test missed just about every cancer in the right side of the colon, where cancers are harder to detect but about 40 percent arise. And it also missed roughly a third of cancers in the left side of the colon.

Instead of preventing 90 percent of cancers, as some doctors have told patients, colonoscopies might actually prevent more like 60 percent to 70 percent.

“This is a really dramatic result,” said Dr. David F. Ransohoff, a gasteroenterologist at the University of North Carolina. “It makes you step back and worry, ‘What do we really know?’ ”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/health/16cancer.html?th&emc=th

[Burma Jones]

1. Just what I want to see

as I prep for my Colonoscopy tomorrow morning

Anyone want some Lemon Jello?

[BOSSHOG]

2. Saw an article in the paper

last week which also indicated there will be more FDA testing on the pre-colonoscopy stuff given to testers as there may be evidence that it could lead to kidney failure; based on complaints of previous users.

[kanrok]

3. Ironic that it was written up in the "Annals" of Internal Medicine

n/t

[groovedaddy]

4. Ha ha! n.t