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