doctor Urges Continued Colonoscopy Screening Despite Patient Concerns
NEW YORK – An 82-year-old patient with a history of tubular adenoma is weighing whether to continue undergoing routine colonoscopies, a debate highlighting the ongoing discussion about preventative cancer screening in older adults. A recent exchange with a medical columnist underscores the benefits of continued screening even in the absence of recent polyp detection,despite inherent risks associated with the procedure.
Tubular adenomas are a type of polyp that can, over time, develop into colon cancer. While the patient’s most recent colonoscopy revealed no polyps, the physician argued that the potential benefit of detecting future, potentially cancerous growths outweighs the risks for most healthy individuals of that age, even those with pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure adn a heart valve replacement.
the doctor acknowledged the patient’s concerns about colonoscopy risks but stated these specific health issues do not automatically disqualify someone from the procedure.Moreover, if a subsequent colonoscopy were negative, the physician suggested the patient could then safely discontinue screenings, as the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer would be substantially reduced.
“I would respect your decision not to have any more colonoscopies, but in my opinion, the benefit outweighs the risk for most healthy 82-year-olds with a history of premalignant polyps, even if your most recent one didn’t show any polyps,” the doctor wrote.
The exchange also touched on defining a fever, noting that a temperature of 38 degrees celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) isn’t a worldwide indicator, as baseline temperatures vary by individual, age, and time of day. An increase of 1-2 degrees Celsius above a personal baseline may indicate a fever, frequently enough stemming from infection but sometimes linked to metabolic conditions. The doctor cautioned that older adults may not always exhibit a fever even with a serious infection, emphasizing the importance of recognizing other symptoms like cough and confusion.
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