colonoscopy

[lincolnj8]

Dummy question. I have a new general Doctor for ear aches etc. He suggested that I should get a colonoscopy this year. I've done that shmeer test last year, all good. Here's the question. Lets say they do a colonoscopy and find something where they'll want to operate. I have inoperable stage 4 PC that is in my bones, lymph nodes, organs, just everywhere. I'm assuming that an operation of any type would cause the cancer to spread at this stage. Otherwise they could remove my prostate to help eliminate the PC. So why should I get a colonoscopy?

[AlanMeyer]

As I understand it, a doctor can detect malignant or potentially malignant "polyps" in the colon (the final part of the intestinal tract) and actually remove them from inside the tract with a tool at the end of the endoscope. No surgery from outside is required. So I would speculate that there is no significant threat of spreading prostate metastases.

Another question however is whether a polyp that might become a malignant cancer five or more years from now poses a credible threat to you. If it were me, I'd get a second opinion from my oncologist about whether this is necessary, especially considering that you've passed the fecal occult blood test (the shmeer test?) It's not an urgent question but I suggest asking the oncologist the next time you see him. The ear, nose and throat doctor may just be giving you the same general advice he gives to everyone and hasn't thought about the prostate cancer issue.

Good luck with it.

Alan

[lincolnj8 in reply to AlanMeyer]

Thank you for your input. It makes a lot of sense.

[Herman_PSA]

Greetings Lincolnj8,

Here is an alternative for you to consider. A colonoscopy is BIG money for doctors and they are dangerous with stats to prove it. You'll never hear that from your doctor before the test.

Basically, they don't really clean those devices well enough and you could be the unlucky fellow who pays the price with your life. I won't allow them on me for decades. Read this written by a doctor: robertclaremd.com/im-skepti...

The best bang for the buck covered by insurance and 90% accurate is the ColoGuard test which you do at home. My primary doc of more than 20-years told me about it. I'm due this year and I will get one for myself: webmd.com/colorectal-cancer...

If it not broke, don't fix it!

Herm

Gleason 8 (4+4) ADT Lupron/Casodex - Stage-4 with 5 five bone mets and doing great!

[lincolnj8 in reply to Herman_PSA]

Hi Herman PSA. Thanks for the info. Yes, if its not broke, don't fix it. I'll go with the ColoGuard test. Many bone mets, lymph nodes plus others. PSA under 1 (was 800), blood at 12.5 (was 5.5), Phosphate at 289 (was at 3000). Never a sick day in my life till last Christmas. 3 days in the hospital and 4 pints of blood to stay alive. MO got me where I am in 9 months. Look at all things in life differently now. Because of my illness, my wife got a mammogram. Found a small cancer spot on her breast. Did the surgery and radiation treatments and now is cancer free. Life is good. Again, thanks for the info.

[Herman_PSA in reply to lincolnj8]

Here are a few more synergistic alternatives for you and your wife's consideration. Since I have use/am using them myself with significant & positive outcomes, there is no doubt in my mind that many others could benefit if they only knew and/or had an open mind. The fellow who turned me on to IP6 has been taking this supplement for YEARS for his PCa and he is in his 70s doing great!

For diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer preventive and treatment, IP6 is "Too Good To Be True!" Visit ip-6.net/ and on the first page there is a link to an ebook you will be glad you read it written by two doctors. There are over 2000 research projects on IP6 and no one has ever died from it. I take 9-scoops per day before meals on an empty stomach. Works with Chemo/radiation if you are into that. The point is that the cancer stem cells are still in you and your wife's body and IP6 will find the cancer and start working on it to keep it under control to greatly slow it down so your own immune system can do its thing.

Watch these two videos by Dr. Greger, MD FACLM.

nutritionfacts.org/video/tr...

youtube.com/watch?v=OKvT8kc...(Not working as expected?)

PCa bone mets? Need to rebuild bone without killing your immune system's defenses and avoid serious fractures? algaecal.com/ Check out AlgaeCal. My MO wanted to start me on XGeva shots. I did my research and found AlgaeCal and I refused XGeva. He never heard of it. I started using it and had and a few months afterwards had bone density test. My MO said I'll see you in one year. You're doing great much to my surprise!

Anyway, have to go!

[lincolnj8 in reply to Herman_PSA]

Thanks for the information Herman_PSA, will look into this.

[FCoffey]

Your analysis is correct. If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness, the potential benefits of colonoscopy are reduced or completely eliminated. The very real risks of colonoscopy are the same, and might even be greater in someone with advanced prostate cancer. High risk of harm, low chance of benefit - that's a sucker bet. Don't take it.

When I discussed colonoscopy with a man who was selling it, we talked about the risk of perforating the colon, among other "negative outcomes." It turns out that the chance of a colon perforation (a very serious, potentially life-threatening injury) is higher than the chance of detecting a colon cancer and preventing a death.

He responded with "I've done thousands of colonoscopies, and had only one perforation. That was in a patient who had advanced cancer." He didn't say what kind of cancer, but he sure poked a hole in his gut. He was oblivious to the fact that what he reported was completely consistent with the statistics on colon perforation.

There are roughly 30 deaths per 100,000 colonoscopies performed. The death rate from colonoscopy is about equal to the number of cancer deaths prevented by early detection. But that is in healthy people without advanced prostate cancer. If it's a wash for healthy people, it's unlikely to be beneficial for us.

[lincolnj8 in reply to FCoffey]

Wow, thanks for the great information. Hopefully they get a cure in our lifetime. It is a slow cancer and maybe they'll be able to come up with something. Till then I'll just fight it like the rest of us are doing..

[alephnull]

Another reason for a colonoscopy is that if you have had radiation to the pelvic region, the colonoscopy can check for damage by the radiation. As told to me by my Oncologist.

[lincolnj8 in reply to alephnull]

No radiation treatments. Spread to organs bones Lymph nodes ribs etc

[lincolnj8]

Thanks for your input. you put things into perspective. I'm on the fence about the colonoscopy. If your days are numbered, why waste a good one. Will talk to the oncologist later this month. The family doctor is the one pushing this along with the flu and pneumonia shots. Never had those, never get sick. Speaking of primary care doctors, the old one that never did a PSA blood test for 15 yrs. (but did a full blood review every 6-12 months) his office just called today for me to make an appointment for an A1C test. Are you kidding? Crazy world. Thanks again for your input and have a great day.