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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 27, 2017)
6 B SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2017 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Colonoscopy Is Best Test for Colon Cancer DEAR DR. ROACH: My hus- band, who is 73 and otherwise in good health, had a colonoscopy in the summer of 2012 and was told that because no polyps or any prob- lems were found, he did not need another test for 10 years. This Oc- tober, he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which has spread to the abdomen and omentum. He also had seven polyps removed during his latest examination. My question is, How likely is it that such a virulent cancer could grow in such a short time? I would be resigned to the diagnosis if I didn’t feel that something was missed in the initial exam. Also, I had a colo- noscopy done by the same doctor this summer and also was told that I need not come back for 10 years. Should I be concerned? -- H.B. SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A heads-up alert to all free-spirited Ewes and Rams: Be wary of a deal that could result in compromising your independence. Check every detail before making a commitment. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) New facts emerge that help put an irksome workplace situation in perspective. Meanwhile, pay more attention to a family member who needs your wisdom and strength. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A slight setback in plans is nothing to worry about. Use this delay to deal with a number of matters you might have ignored for too long. Expect news from someone in your past. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You’re entering a period of stability. Use it to straighten out any out- ANSWER: I am very sorry to hear about your husband. What hap- pened is very unusual. All guide- lines agree that in a person with a normal colonoscopy, a repeat in 10 years is recommended. A repeat in fi ve years would have been rec- ommended if a low-risk polyp had been found, earlier with high-risk or multiple polyps. I haven’t person- ally seen a case like your husband’s, where an advanced cancer presents less than 10 years after a normal colonoscopy. This should happen in fewer than 1 in 1,000 people. There are several reasons why it can happen. The most important is that even a properly done colonos- copy misses polyps. Very small pol- yps (less than 5 mm) can be missed 26 percent of the time, but large pol- yps (greater than 10 mm) are missed only 2 percent of the time. Although the colonoscopy is the best screen- ing test we have for colon cancer, it isn’t perfect. It’s also possible that he just had a very fast-growing can- cer. While I understand your concern about getting yourself an earlier re- peat colonoscopy, your risk is very small, and if you trust the doc- tor who did the colonoscopy, you should get your repeat in 10 years. READERS: Some 140,000 peo- ple are diagnosed with colon cancer in the U.S each year. The booklet on colon cancer provides useful in- formation on its causes, symptoms and treatments. To order a copy, write: Dr. Roach -- No. 505W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and ad- dress. Please allow four weeks for delivery. DEAR DR. ROACH: My moth- er, 88 years old, recently switched her medicine for hypertension from timed release, which she has been taking for 10 years, to one that is not timed release, because the timed release was too expensive. I’m worried. Has she compromised her health by doing this? Her cardiolo- gist gave her the go-ahead. -- J.R. ANSWER: In my opinion, timed- release versions for high blood pressure are preferable to non- timed-release because the level of the medication in the blood can go up and down to a greater degree with the regular-release formula- tion. However, it does depend on the medication, and her cardiologist knows more than I do about her par- ticular situation. standing problems related to a very personal situation. Also, pay closer attention to fi nancial matters. LEO (July 23 to August 22) As much as you love being a social Lion, you might well benefi t from staying out of the spotlight for a while. You need time to refl ect on some upcom- ing decisions. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A diffi cult family situation improves, thanks to your timely intervention. You can now start to focus more of your attention on pre- paring for a possible career change. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) An on-the-job change works to your benefi t by off ering new oppor- tunities. It’s up to you to check them out. Meanwhile, a stalled romantic situation starts up again. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Th at fl are-up of Scorpian temperament cools down, leaving you more receptive to sug- gestions about changes that might need to be made in your personal life. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) An unusual period of indecisiveness is a mite frustrating. But things soon clear up, allowing the sage Sagittarian to make those wise pronouncements again. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You might feel that you know best, but it’s not a good idea at this time to try to force your opin- ions on others. Best advice: Inspire change by example, not by intimida- tion. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Some setbacks could aff ect your plans to fortify your fi nancial situation. But things start moving again by early next week. Meanwhile, enjoy your resurgent social life. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Show that oft en-hidden steely spine of yours as you once again stand up to an emotional bully. You’ve got the strength to do it, especially as friends rally to your side. Siuslaw N ews ! AD IT DAY E R TO www. the siuslawnews.com E -E DITION • S PORTS • T OP S TORIES • O BITUARIES • W EATHER • F ORUMS • B LOGS
