"This blog was developed to provide medical updates that are important and have my perspective as additional insight."
Colon screening took a great leap forward with the FDA approval today of the COLOGARD stool test. This test does genetic screening on your bowel movements to check for genetic defects that are found in cancerous polyps and tissues that are sloughed-off into the bowel movement. Using this $599 test, you will be able potentially …
Colon cancer has a large preventable component through early screening and detection, and despite the general safety and tolerability of colonoscopy, many people hesitate due to the preparation required, or due to the perceived risk of the test (which is small..but real.) Other ways we screen for cancers and polyps is through testing for microscopic …
Two large studies have shown that screening for colon cancer is an effective tool in reducing your risk for dying from colon cancer. Both articles appeared in the respected New England Journal of Medicine. One study looked at colonoscopy, and found a 70% reduction in your chances of dying from colon cancer. A second study …
Read More “GET YOUR COLONOSCOPY ON….OR AT LEAST CHECK THE BOWELS FOR MICROSCOPIC BLOOD”
In a recent study of oiver 1,000 patients with colon cancer, discovery at colonoscopy proved to be an important factor in longer survival. Patients who were discovered to have colon cancer by colonoscopy were found to have an earlier stage of disease and a longer life-span. This is just another study suggesting the benefits of …
I just came across this great website and resource for patients with colon cancer and their families. Colon Cancer Alliance
A large Danish study demonstrates a reduced cancer risk in people on statin medications like Lipitor. This good news should be interpreted with some caution as study does have some limitations, but the fact that the medication did not show an increase risk of cancer issues is great news for those millions of us on …
Aspirin is just over 100 years old. Developed by Bayer Chemical, the same year as they developed Heroin, they would both go on to have famous careers. Actually, Bayer thought Heroin would be much more popular….little did they know. Aspirin remains a great medication for a whole host of issues, but among the most important …
This past week the FDA approved a lower-volume colonoscopy preparation called PREPOPIK (funny name.) The Baltimore Sun on-line reports: Prepopik is a combination of sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide and anhydrous citric acid with an orange flavoring. It is taken in two doses: either both doses the day before the colonoscopy or one dose the day …
Read More “YIPPEE…..NEW, LOW VOLUME COLONOSCOPY PREP IS APPROVED”
A just-released study in the NEJM (New England Journal Of Medicine) has clearly shown the benefits of colonoscopy. In patients with polyps (called adenomatous polyps…a specific type of polyp under the microscopic), removal of these polyps reduces the future risk of colon cancer by 50%…..a statistically large margin. It is important to have proof that …
This week’s Lancet Journal (from England) has an important study supporting the use of aspirin in preventing colon cancer. Aspirin at 600mg daily (equivalent of 2 full dose pills) yielded a significant reduction in colon cancers in patients with Lynch Syndrome (a genetic predisposition to colon cancer). Although not clearly applicable to other patients with …
Read More “MORE POSITIVE DATA IN FAVOR OF ASPIRIN FOR COLON CANCER”