Blood test may replace colonoscopy

[tbyg52]

BALTIMORE, June 15 (UPI) -- A simple blood test may eventually replace the dreaded and highly invasive colonoscopy for detecting colon cancer, say U.S. researchers.

A team at Johns Hopkins Medical Center say they have discovered proteins in blood that appear to be accurate predictors of the disease, as well as precancerous polyps.

http://www.upi.com/Health_Business/Briefing/2007/06/15/blood_test_may_replace_colonoscopy/9552/

[Horse with no Name]

1. Sweet.

I had a patient that died during a colonoscopy (drug reaction)...so this is a wonderful new advance.

[slackmaster]

3. Bummer - Was it a known but undisclosed drug sensitivity,

Or something the patient didn't know about?

I'm fortunate to tolerate narcotics and sedatives very well.

[Horse with no Name]

6. Stupidiity on his part

He was in his early 40's, nervous all morning about the procedure.
Got permission from the doctor (NPO status) to go outside and smoke ONE cigarette.
Apparently (from autopsy results) he went downstairs and did a line of coke.
His system was loaded.
It reacted with the anesthetic and his heart stopped.
They couldn't resuscitate him.

[slackmaster]

11. Ack! That's horrible

Cocaine is extremely dangerous, especially when mixed with other drugs.

[Horse with no Name]

13. Especially powerful anesthetic drugs

His procedure was at noon. His family went down to the waiting room. About 4 nobody had come back, I hadn't got a report from the GI Lab...and I started wondering where my patient was.
I called down there and they told me he died.:wow:
I had no idea--it was quite shocking.
At that point, nobody knew why his heart stopped. It was pretty traumatic for the Doctor and staff as well.:(

[BlooInBloo]

36. "Bummer". heh!

[Lisa]

41. Holy crap! (sorry) This is great news!

As unpopular as needles are, they are way more convenient than getting "probed". And in theory, this should make it a lot faster and cheaper to screen people. (My cousin had part of his colon removed recently, and if a blood test could have picked up the cancer before it got that severe, it would have saved a lot of pain and expense.)

Even showing people that they might be vulnerable will make them more inclined to want to be checked out with a full colonoscopy, so this is good news all around, methinks.

[TZ]

20. ooh- I am glad I didn't know that fact about a month ago..

when I had a colonscopy myself!!!:) :hi:

[Horse with no Name]

24. Hey there sue

I'm pretty certain the same situation wouldn't have applied!:hi:
Hope all is well.

[TZ]

30. true on that. situation not the same...as for all being well....ummm

here's the story on that:http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x6626283

PS- one thing that is well is my new science site (in my sig line) that I hope you will visit sometime
:hi:

[Longhorn]

42. Me, too, ten days ago!

Everything went well but it still cost us nearly $700 for the two of us for the part the insurance didn't pay.

[TZ]

45. Its gonna cost me about $700 too...

because my insurance company says that my doctor was IN-NETWORK, but the place where the procedure was done was OUT-OF-NETWORK. How messed up is that?:mad:

[tblue37]

56. Mine is scheduled in early July.

Not looking forward to it at all!

[slackmaster]

2. This is a long way from being a replacement for a colonoscopy

As a veteran of two sessions of the "dreaded" procedure, I'd like to offer that it really isn't that bad unless (I imagine) you insist on doing it drug-free as a friend of mine has done.

Versed and Fentanyl are your friends.

Too many people put off getting a colonoscopy because of vain concerns about their dignity, or perhaps plain old fear. After watching my grandfather die of colon cancer, I could put up with monthly colonoscopies for the rest of my life if I had to.

[Beaverhausen]

4. Yeah, I've had two myself. They aren't fun but aren't really that bad.

The prep is far worse. Drinking that stuff is vile.

I did end up in the ER after my last one...I had a reaction to the anesthesia I think. Are those drugs you mentioned anti-nausea drugs? I will ask for them next time!

[LiberalEsto]

9. The prep isn't as bad as it used to be

It used to be sheer hell. Now you drink this stuff called "Go Lightly" and it's pretty much a piece of cake. I really don't dread c-scopies any more.

I have to have one every 5 years because I've had several pre-cancerous polyps removed, plus a family history of colon cancer.

[Beaverhausen]

14. I've had to drink the Fleet Phospho-soda. Never heard of "Go Lightly"

that sounds nicer, at least. That phospho-soda is :puke:

[LiberalEsto]

17. Actually I had the Fleet stuff

for the last scoping a year ago. Golitely was the time before last. Both are acceptable.

[knitter4democracy]

15. My system doesn't handle the new stuff well.

I didn't get Golitely but instead Miralax. It's so pleasant to start puking while having diarrhea and get told that I still had more to drink. :(

[TZ]

22. I didn't get that stuff last month..

I got the nasty nasty NASTY fleet phospho stuff....:puke:

[slackmaster]

10. Versed is a sedative that gives you retrograde amnesia

Fentanyl is a fast-acting opiate (narcotic analgesic). Both wear off pretty quickly. These are powerful and potentially dangerous drugs that have to be administered carefully in real time.

[CTyankee]

53. My drugs, unfortunately, didn't work so well.

My colonoscopy was primarily diagnostic because I was having cramps, pain and was painfully bloated and it wouldn't go away. My colon was obviously in active pain. I had ssevere diverticulitis and they should have given me more anasthesia.

Now 2 years later I had another attack of diverticulitis and the drs recommended surgery to snip away the weak part of my colon that gets infected. However, the surgery went badly and I ended up having 2 more surgeries, all in 2 weeks time, to correct everything that went wrong, from obstruction by scar tissue and pools of abcesses that had formed. I was in the hospital and then rehab a total of 2 months.

After all of that a colonoscopy seems like a walk in the park. Everyone should just remember what a dr. told me: There is no reason anyone should get colon cancer. I am grateful we have colonoscopies and I will happily sign up for my next one.

[DrDan]

18. Absolutely

I have also had 2.

The prep is much much harder than the procedure. And no after effects - except for being hungry.

Not fun to think about.

Not fun to prepare for.

Not fun to talk about.

But - the alternative is infinitely worse.

[tbyg52]

7. You're right, it's not that bad at all

Actually, for me it was a nothing--if I'd known, I'd have declined the sedative, and will do so next time. Didn't feel any different from a large bowel movement, and watching it on the TV was interesting.

That said, some people simply will *not* have one. (My husband. And in his case I can testify it's plain old fear, even though he was with me when I had mine.)

[WinkyDink]

5. Maybe so, but if you HAVE polyps (as I've had several times), it's colonoscopy time, baby!

Yeah, that means drinking that godawful "preparation"!

[tbyg52]

8. Oh, ugh, I'd forgotten all about the prep

Now *that* is a pain (figuratively).

[slackmaster]

12. With mine the prep has been two big doses of Fleet Phospho-Soda

The fun part is when you are cleaned out, to drink a beer or some soda water. When you are prepped, it flushes all the way through in under 20 minutes.

[Solo_in_MD]

19. I am actually in the midst of the prep stuff for an *event* tomorrow

Its my first...I took the pills in the HalfLytely kit, waiting for something to happen, and then go with the liquid. You guys are just making my day here.

[tbyg52]

21. Look at it this way....

After the prep it's all downhill! ;)

[Solo_in_MD]

26. Thanks for the moral support

the wait is the most annoying part (between 1-6 hours)...but then I haven't had to down the liquid yet

[Oilwellian]

32. Don't worry...

we've got your back. :D

[Beaverhausen]

25. Oh my goodness! A big hug to you

We can relate.

Don't worry- it will be over soon enough. :hug:

Hang in there. It's not as bad as we are making it sound. Just follow all the directions and take it very easy tomorrow after the procedure. Don't do what I did and eat too much at first.

[Solo_in_MD]

27. Thanks

I went back to CA to get this done (preferred provider coverage = no cost). Daughter is planning on making udon soup for me. I never get treated that way in MD.

[undeterred]

29. I will never forget the morning of May 30, 2007

and I'll never remember the afternoon. It was my first. The prep was hell and I still wasn't ready when I got to the procedure unit...

But the good news is, my colon was boring.

[BrotherBuzz]

46. I will never forget 09 April 07

It was not good news, and my colon and stomach were anything but boring. I had major kick-ass surgery three days later, and after six weeks recovery and thirty pounds weight gain, I was deemed healthy enough to begin chemotherapy.

PEOPLE: GETTING A COLONOSCOPY IS A PIECE OF CAKE WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVES!

This new blood test will never replace the colonoscopy, but it will become a strong tool that will allow people that can't afford or simply refuse to have a colonoscopy as part of a routine medical check-up to be screened. I am part the former group and a strong advocate for a radically reformed medical health care system for all people.

[undeterred]

47. I agree and I shouldn't be a crybaby about the prep.

I turned 50 in October and in April was unemployed but had COBRA coverage. Free time plus insurance coverage = went to all the doctors I needed and did lots of overdue stuff, lots and lots of it.

Inspired by Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snow. Even though I am still jobless and my life kinda sucks, I am healthy (or have well managed problems) and know that I am cancer free. You just made me realize how much that is worth.

Lots of my friends are turning 50 or have turned 50 and I always say- so did you get your first colonoscopy? They think I'm being rude... no, I'm trying to save your life.

[BrotherBuzz]

48. Good for you. I couldn't even pronounce colonoscopy when I turned 50...

let alone spell it. The whole field was totally alien to me and to be avoided at all expense; denial. I suspect many males my age think the same way. Your reward will come when one of your friends reports back to you that something minor was discovered and taken care of in a timely fashion, and profusely thanks you for pushing them to take action.

Jeez louise, it kills me to have to share the same disease with Tony Snow. ;)

[undeterred]

49. About 15 years ago I worked for a gastroenterologist

He specialized in Chron's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. So the doctors in our clinic did "procedures" all day. I didn't deal with patients with cancer, but I did a lot of quality of life studies for my boss which involved patient interviews so I was pretty comfortable with the subject.

Later on I worked in a cancer information room. And the thing is... cancer is always a surprise. A man feels short of breath one day and goes to the ER worried about his heart. Then he finds out his lungs are full of fluid because he has leukemia... There are plenty of cancers that really do sneak up on you.

Then I'd see a couple where the man had a strange dark spot on his back for over a year before he would see a doctor- his wife was worried the whole time- and it turned out to be a malignant skin cancer that had already metastasized. Here they were at this fantastic hospital, too late. He was going to die, because he denied it could be serious, and basically didn't listen to his wife's concerns.

Breast and colon cancer are relatively slow growing- so if you are doing annual screenings- you are going to catch it early. At least do what you can to catch the slow ones.

[stubtoe]

55. I second, third and fourth that sentiment, BrotherBuzz.

Just lost an aunt to colon cancer. She never got a screening colonoscopy. 61 years old.

A screening colonoscopy at 50 would have caught it early and saved her life. Please people, do not put it off. It's so important.

Plus the drugs are reallly good :)

edit: war on errors

[WinkyDink]

31. Let me just say: the drugs are niiiiice!

[stubtoe]

54. No Kidding!

:)

[KoKo]

34. You've taken "half" and nothing is happening...by the time you read this post...

assume it will have happened and you are running for the bathroom.

I'm a colon cancer survivor...so have been through that stuff many times. I call that Huge Jug they give you to drink..."Go Lightly: as the :sarcasm" about it. You drink and drink about every 15 minutes..think nothing is happening and THEN!!!!! It STRIKES!

The Prep is worse than the scope...The Prep is worse than the scope...KEEP REPEATING THAT OVER AND OVER...and you are fine.

[tbyg52]

38. Exactly.

The prep is definitely the worst part, and it's not *that* bad, even with the old stuff.

[Gormy Cuss]

16. Aside from being less invasive, it should be cheaper to do screening via blood tests

and that would be a great advantage to the majority of people who aren't at high risk.

[OzarkDem]

28. Agree, that's key

in order to really benefit from early detection, we need low cost, accurate, less invasive screening that can be made available for everyone at risk.

[KoKo]

35. If you have "family history" they need to check every crevice in your colon for a

polyp to get it before it grows larger. A blood test isn't going to identify the polyp that will grow until it's grown to the point where it's invaded the tissue and your body reacts.

If you have family history...better to do the Colonoscopy route...and get those suckers nipped out.

Believe me on this. I had a PSA test when I was having pain ...and it was NEGATIVE...and it took alot of work to find that I had a huge polyp...they wrap around and invade your colon wall... PSA isn't going to show it until you are going to need chemo. Better to get the little ones..and they take awhile to grow..so you don't need to go through this so often when they've gotten out the suckers the first time.

[Gormy Cuss]

37. That's why I wrote "for people who aren't high risk."

A whole lot of sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies could be avoided for low risk people with a sound blood test. For those with a family history there probably won't be a choice.

[slackmaster]

43. My family history predates wide availability of colonoscopy

My maternal grandfather was the first to die of it, in 1977 - the cancer started in his cecum (beginning part of the colon). He had sigmoidoscopies on several occasions. They of course completely failed to detect his cancer.

Two of his brothers subsequently died of cancer of the cecum.

Their sister was diagnosed with advanced cancer of the cecum while she was on her death bed for something else.

My mom's sister had to have a piece of her colon removed at about age 50. She's OK now.

My mom has had polyps removed. She's also OK.

That's what you call a screaming family history. If colonoscopy had been available in the early 1970s, my grandfather and his siblings might have lived a lot longer than they did.

[Geezoh]

23. I didn't think it was so bad...

I was asleep. And after I woke up, and then took a nap, I didn't remember much of any of it.

As the man said, thank goodness for Versed.

[tbyg52]

39. Hey, Geezoh!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Geezoh]

50. Hey...

...thanks.

[Forkboy]

33. Thankfully this has been discovered before I need one.

:)

[tbyg52]

40. Hey night people!

Rate this up, and maybe more people will get a colonoscopy!

(Or maybe not--read the thread, and I leave it up to your discretion.... ;) )

[Rosemary2205]

44. K&R so people won't wait too long. nt

[ananda]

51. Well.. that -is- good news!

Something good for a change.. well.

[shireen]

52. only for colon cancer detection

i needed one to look for internal bleeding.

[LostInAnomie]

57. Where's the fun in that!? Do I still get to drink the gallon of pink liquid!?

Party poopers!

[lala_rawraw]

58. thank god...

for anyone who has had one... you know it is not painful, just damn humiliating:(

[B Calm]

59. Had my first colonoscopy last year. Hopefully it will be my last!