Colon Screening: 5 Things You Need to Know

U.S.A. and Health Insurance

These comments above were great to read. My husband is in need of a free colonoscopy in the State of Maryland. The PAC State of Maryland Insurance using (United Healthcare) for people living off of the state, since they are unemployed, or don't have insurance, or qualify for insurance through Social Services, does not cover anything. My husband had colon cancer back in 2004, and Social Services paid for the operation, and the treatments. Now, in 2008, he can't even get a follow up colonoscopy to make sure that he doesn't have cancer again. It is unfair. He worked hard and paid taxes for over 35+ years. He should qualify to still have insurance through Social Services. If it weren't for the fact that our daughter was not 21 yet, at the time he got colon cancer, he would surely be another fatality of colon cancer victims. The system should be changed so that all people, young and old, should be able to get medical care, no matter what their family circumstances are. The families with babies (under 21), continue to have babies so that they can qualify for Social Services health assistance, cash assistance, food stamps, housing, education, etc. The parents barely worked a day or year in their life, to give something into the system for their retirement, and to help others that are retired or retiring. Wake up America, we all need to get on the pharmacutical industry and the doctors that are charging a lot to keep one alive. Those people have insurance and most, are retired, and live on a fixed income. Most of their paychecks are spent on prescriptions. I had a hernia disc injury last year, and I suffered for 10 months straight (24-7). PAC wouldn't pay for an operation, nor would they pay for a shot to my back to relax the muscle. I thank God that with the 21 day steroid pills, the hot tub, (for free where my daughter works), and walking, the disc settled out, and I was myself once again. Now, my husband needs his colonoscopy, and I need a

mammogram to complete my physical. It is a strain just to find a site on line for free colonoscopy and mammograms. President Obama talked last night (7/22/09) about the change in our health system. What I want, and others like me want, won't happen, because money is involved, and too many politicians are in their own world, trying to obtain money. Just like when a person is placed in jail, The President makes a little money, and so do some of the politicians. The same goes for the health industry. We should make life easier for citizens, just as in Canada, and in a lot of European countries, as well as some asian countries. Maybe, we ought to get more doctors to start using homeopathic medicines, chropractic, and acupunture, at a cost that everyone can afford. A lot of pharmacutical pills don't work on their patients anyway. Why not try something different, that is guaranteed to work. Oh no, that is too right, and the poli's won't make any money. That is what the U.S.A. is about, and that is sad. Thank you.

U.S.A. and Health Insurance

These comments above were great to read. My husband is in need of a free colonoscopy in the State of Maryland. The PAC State of Maryland Insurance using (United Healthcare) for people living off of the state, since they are unemployed, or don't have insurance, or qualify for insurance through Social Services, does not cover anything. My husband had colon cancer back in 2004, and Social Services paid for the operation, and the treatments. Now, in 2008, he can't even get a follow up colonoscopy to make sure that he doesn't have cancer again. It is unfair. He worked hard and paid taxes for over 35+ years. He should qualify to still have insurance through Social Services. If it weren't for the fact that our daughter was not 21 yet, at the time he got colon cancer, he would surely be another fatality of colon cancer victims. The system should be changed so that all people, young and old, should be able to get medical care, no matter what their family circumstances are. The families with babies (under 21), continue to have babies so that they can qualify for Social Services health assistance, cash assistance, food stamps, housing, education, etc. The parents barely worked a day or year in their life, to give something into the system for their retirement, and to help others that are retired or retiring. Wake up America, we all need to get on the pharmacutical industry and the doctors that are charging a lot to keep one alive. Those people have insurance and most, are retired, and live on a fixed income. Most of their paychecks are spent on prescriptions. I had a hernia disc injury last year, and I suffered for 10 months straight (24-7). PAC wouldn't pay for an operation, nor would they pay for a shot to my back to relax the muscle. I thank God that with the 21 day steroid pills, the hot tub, (for free where my daughter works), and walking, the disc settled out, and I was myself once again. Now, my husband needs his colonoscopy, and I need a

mammogram to complete my physical. It is a strain just to find a site on line for free colonoscopy and mammograms. President Obama talked last night (7/22/09) about the change in our health system. What I want, and others like me want, won't happen, because money is involved, and too many politicians are in their own world, trying to obtain money. Just like when a person is placed in jail, The President makes a little money, and so do some of the politicians. The same goes for the health industry. We should make life easier for citizens, just as in Canada, and in a lot of European countries, as well as some asian countries. Maybe, we ought to get more doctors to start using homeopathic medicines, chropractic, and acupunture, at a cost that everyone can afford. A lot of pharmacutical pills don't work on their patients anyway. Why not try something different, that is guaranteed to work. Oh no, that is too right, and the poli's won't make any money. That is what the U.S.A. is about, and that is sad. Thank you.

Pediatric gastroenterologist

My grandson is in need of a top pediatric gastroenterologist. He is 3 and not growing properly. He refuses to eat and cries a lot. We have come to the end of the rope with his present doctor. He has not improved. His hemoglobin is 7. Help

colonoscopy

Any Organization or news source that says to wait until 50 yrs old for a colonoscopy should be held accountable.

I know no less than 20 persons with stage 4 colon cancer who are from 30 to 45 years old.

That is too many to assume a genetic slant.

Perhaps Insurance companies are responsible for this tragic and flawed advice.

Kidney failure

Homeda,

The kidney problem related to phospho-soda bowel cleansing. Avoid those and your kidneys will be fine.

Colon Cancer

Get that colonoscopy! A very dear friend of mine ignored his stomach cramps for years until one day his colon stopped working. He rushed himself to the hospital and withing hours was rushed into emergency surgery to remove 3/4 of his colon. A malignant tumor the size of a lemon on one side and the other side of his colon was 3 times larger than it should be... with a tear in the lining.

After weeks in the hospital he back home and still recovering. Sure made me a believer in Colonoscopies!

COLONOSCOPY AND KIDNEY FAILURE.

I have been scheduled for a colonoscopy twice, but each time I cancelled the appointment because of fear of kidney failure.

I saw some lawyers advertising for potential clients who might have had kidney failures due to the side effects of the stool purging concortion-- the lexative. HOW TRUE IS THIS ?

Also, is it possible for the scope to be pushed too far into the rectum to affect the kidney ?

PLEASE, RESPOND

unemployed

I was going to have a colonoscopy in 6 months, but got laid off.

My company went under, so no COBRA coverage. I have crappy high deductible insurance that won't cover the $3500.

It's a nice thought to encourage people to get screening, but be aware more U.S. citizens like me can't afford this type of screening. If Congress gave us all the coverage they have, we would be a much healthier nation. Oh Well-maybe I'll move to France and get the health care I need.

Colonoscopy Con't...

I enjoy being with my Mother, each and everyday,that God allows me to have her. Mom will turn 75 come her birthday this year. I'm proud of her for being such a trooper. All of our efforts paid off and she enjoys life again. We don't worry about the what ifs, the what fors, what the future holds for us anymore. We enjoy our lives, once again, each day that we're given. So, don't ever give up...there is a light at the end of the tunnel, with some cases, and I've had both in my family.

Another thing about colon cancer. If you end up with renal failure by chance from the chemotherapy like my Mom,...you cannot have a colonoscopy anymore. The regiment schedule for the colonoscopy would tax the renal functions too much and acute renal failure could happen. One of Mom's oncologist order her a colonoscopy without my knowledge and when I got home, and Mom told me what the doctor had ordered? I looked at the paper work and looked at Mom. What do you think? She said I don't know? I asked her...do you think you can do this? Mom said, what about my renal functions? I continued to help her realize, that she cannot have a colonoscopy anymore. So now, I don't have to worry about Mom's health, even when a doctor isn't aware of all of her conditons. She knows what she can and cannot do. Good luck and God bless

Colonoscopy Con't...

Mom does really well today. She's totally recovered from incontenance and doesn't have to wear diapers/pull ups, anymore. She couldn't wear the cheaper brands because she'd breakout with a rash...so she could only wear the expensive name brands. Although Mom still has early stages of renal failure, I control that with her diet.

Doctors don't tell ya everyting you need to know about how to care for such patients and this one was a first for me, so I researched. I used the Mayo Clinic's website for all of the information that I needed. Then I took that information and researched all of the different foods and food's nutritional values. I also have a book called Healing Foods and also an illistrated encyclopedia of herbs. Mom's diet ended up being the following...

No fruit, Limited-No meats, No dairy, no processed foods including salt and sugars or preservatives/additives, no city water, no this and no that. I thought, OMG! What will I feed her? Its easy and I did the diet with her for the 1st 2yrs myself, to help her and encourage her, to eat her diet.

Any fresh vegetables, raw or steamed.

Whole grain breads

Whole grain pastas

Whole grain cereals

Brown Rice

Nut/legumes

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

No canned vegetables because they do not have enough nutritional values to them. I allow simple proteins even though the Mayo clinic stated no protein but they didn't list simple proteins which are different and react differently within the body. Besides, Mom has to have something for energy. If the food is a vegetable, I let her have it.

Mom eats lots of salads chaulked with all kinds of fresh vegetables and homemade salad dressings made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil only. This keeps her arteries healthy and clear, as well as her thinning skin more moist, and since EVOO has antioxidant properties, it keeps any cancer away too. And she eats those fresh frozen mixed vegetables, like the Italian mix, Oriental mix, and etc. Put those steamed vegetables on a bed of rice or pasta, serve with some whole grain bread, and she's good to go:) This diet is quick, easy, inexpensive, and most importantly, is the most nurtritious for Mom.

Unfortunately for Mom, her intake of liquids are limited up to 32oz of fluids per day. Mom usually drinks 2 cups of coffee each morning, 6oz of Iced Tea with her lunch as an antioxidant and filtered water or fresh spring water, for the rest of her daily limit.

Mom walks most days, around a good country style block...which is longer than a city block, to prevent any blood clots from forming. Mom socializes 2 a wk at her church and at a senior citizen center, 1 a week. So I keep her busy and active. I continued to have her creatine levels checked routinely and also her annual scans for cancer, up until last year, her 5yr anniversary of being cancer free. Her newer oncologist stated that he no longer needed to see her but that if she should have any changes, to contact him immediately. Con't...