A retrospective study of three large health systems found that the risk for colorectal cancer following a colonoscopy was lower when the colonoscopy was conducted by a physician with higher adenoma detection rates (ADR’s). Adenomas are the usual precursor type polyps that can lead to colon cancer. At the Endoscopy Center of the North Shore,
Colorectal cancer is noted to be on the rise in younger patients. This is concerning as rates have steadily declined in other age groups. Although a small percentage overall, the rate of most marked rise in colon cancer is seen in the 20’s. New research suggests colorectal cancer is clinically different in younger patients. The
The recent issue of Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology addresses the American Cancer Society’s new recommendation to lower the age of initial screening for colon cancer from 50 to 45. The recommendation follows a small spike in younger patients having colon cancer. However, those patients are not necessarily 45-50. Actually, patients in their 20’s are the
A study of Medicaid patients showed that those who received fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) in the mail were more likely to complete colorectal cancer screening than those who were just reminded. Colorectal cancer is more treatable if caught early, but only about 63% of the population is screened, and the rate drops further among vulnerable
Dr. Rob Allison, a physician in Pierre, S.D., has no history or symptoms of colon cancer but got his first colonoscopy at age 50 to encourage others to get the screening. Allison says the procedure is quick, painless and potentially lifesaving. See the video from KSFY (ABC-TV) here.
Two US House lawmakers say more must be done to reduce the mortality rate associated with colorectal cancer, including funding research into preventing and treating the disease. Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J., and Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., are sponsoring the bill. The Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, in part corrects a glitch in Medicare
A recent study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found high-definition colonoscopy was as effective as dye spraying chromoendoscopy and virtual chromoendoscopy in the detection of neoplastic lesions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We use high-definition endoscopy at The Endoscopy Center of the North Shore, as well as Evanston and Glenbrook Hospitals. Read the
Colonoscopies cost Medicare 164% more when they’re performed in a hospital outpatient department rather than independent physician offices, according to a recent report by Physicians Advocacy Institute and Avalere. The study showed the stark disparity in payment between settings based on ownership. “Hospital consolidation pushes healthcare costs upward,” said Robert Seligson, president of Physicians Advocacy
Here’s a hilarious list of music that might be appropriate–or inappropriate!–for your “private time” while prepping for a colonoscopy: Retired cantor Janice Woltag Cohen just turned 50. We Boomers all know what that means. It’s Colonoscopy Time! A colonoscopy! That fabulous 50th birthday present you give to yourself. Yes, it’s yucky. But it’s absolutely necessary.
