New screening test for Colorectal cancer

[amirm]

Heard this story today on NPR radio about a new test that uses DNA signature in stool to detect colon cancer. Hope is that it will detect up to 85% of the cases. Good news is that testing will start soon so this is not another one of those ideas that is five years out. Here is the company that hopes to commercialize it:

Anything that doesn't involve foreign objects being inserted into one's body is a good thing I think .

 

[Steve Williams]

I'd rather have something stuck in that has close to 100% accuracy vs something non invasive with only 83% accuracy.

 

[ack]

I have to agree.

 

[Steve Williams]

I have to agree.

specificity vs sensitivity

 

[amirm]

I think the radio interview said something about the hope that the invasive test be done less frequently, say once every 5 years, versus yearly version of this one. That said, they were not confident this would be the case.

BTW, the test only costs $300.

 

[Steve Williams]

Actually if your colonoscopy is normal you don't have to "ride the rocket" again for 10 years

 

[amirm]

Didn't know that. I am going to hope then that by that time they do figure this thing out .

 

[rockitman]

I'd rather have something stuck in that has close to 100% accuracy vs something non invasive with only 83% accuracy.

Now you are being a pain in the butt Steve...

 

[cjfrbw]

I knew a guy who asked the surgeon during his colonoscopy if he could take a look.

He said, "I've had my head up my ass so many times, but never with the lights on."

 

[MylesBAstor]

I knew a guy who asked the surgeon during his colonoscopy if he could take a look.

He said, "I've had my head up my ass so many times, but never with the lights on."

Oh geez........

 

[Mark (Basspig) Weiss]

Actually if your colonoscopy is normal you don't have to "ride the rocket" again for 10 years

Mine came back with problems a few years ago. I'm supposed to get retested every 3 years as a result. I really have to stop eating meat and processed foods..

 

[Steve Williams]

Undergoing a colonoscopy every three years IMHO is a small price to pay when you consider the alternatives

 

[Mark (Basspig) Weiss]

Undergoing a colonoscopy every three years IMHO is a small price to pay when you consider the alternatives

I'm not quite so sure after reading this:

http://roarofwolverine.com/archives/2776

Seems that the incidence of caught and saved from cancer is under 1%, while the possibility of a perferated intestine is 1.5X greater than the cancer. Couric's husband died of colon cancer at 42, so the screening at 50 would not have been any help to him and others in the same position.

As for me, I have this crappy insurance from my wife's employment that only pays for routine visits. The moment it turns into a diagnostic, there is a $3K deductable. Ouch. Got burned on that with my elevated PSA test at the urologist 2 years ago. One big problem with the current system is you go to a doc and you don't know what it's gonna cost you, if anything, beyond insurance. With a car repair, plumber, carpenter, etc. you know in advance and can plan. With medical, that $18K bill comes as a complete surprise.