Bowel cancer screening capsules the latest in at-home care trend - UK

[tamada]

Innovation in NHS self-care will see patients in England swallow tiny cameras instead of having standard endoscopy.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... care-trend

With the high incidence of bowel cancers in Thailand, it will be interesting to see how quickly Thailand embraces this "example of “sci-fi” medicine."

[AlexO]

Well done Tam, as another Jock living in Thailand, you absolutely know, only available via private hospitals at huge cost. FFS they are saying Songkran 2021 will save the economy while wearing masks????

[Stantheman]

Read the article and saw a few errors. The biggest one is that the capsule will detect cancer, it will not. It may show signs of possible cancer such as polyps, which will require a colonoscopy to get samples to determine if cancer is present as all polyps are not cancer. Since, for most people, the prep is worst part of process why have to go through it twice if capsule shows polyps.

[parrot]

Even better:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/11/heal ... sting.html

[tamada]

Read the article and saw a few errors. The biggest one is that the capsule will detect cancer, it will not. It may show signs of possible cancer such as polyps, which will require a colonoscopy to get samples to determine if cancer is present as all polyps are not cancer. Since, for most people, the prep is worst part of process why have to go through it twice if capsule shows polyps.

It's still cancer screening no? If polyps are not detected, no colonoscopy required. As its states (in layman's terms), "...The process takes five to eight hours. Photographs of the bowel are sent wirelessly from the capsule and later passed on to a cancer specialist to help them decide whether or not the person has bowel cancer, which kills about 16,600 people a year. ..." That's cancer screening, not cancer detection.

Same as parrots DIY stool sampling kit. Screening first and, as it states, "...Five to 6 percent of patients will have a positive test and need to schedule a follow-up colonoscopy. But the great majority are finished with colon cancer screening for the year — no uncomfortable prep, no need to skip work or find someone to drive them home after anesthesia, no colonoscopy.

If it negates the need for an exploratory colonoscopy, surely that is a bonus? One can always opt for the old-school camera up the bum but it's probably the same as prostate examination where most will go for the non-invasive PSA test and ultrasound versus the fudgy finger. The downside of that is generations of doctors who will probably never know what a 'rough walnut' feels like.

[rick]

Parrot's colon tests have been routine in the UK for about 10 years, for over 60's. I get a test kit sent every 2 years in the UK.

[jackspratt]

Also in Oz.

I seem to have a screening kit waiting for me every time I return. Fortunately, so far, so good.

[tamada]

^ ^^ It appears that the US health care system is playing catch up then.

[Niggly]

I had the pill cam in 2013.

I’m not really sure after the preparation the day before & the gloop I had to drink to help it in its way it was any better than the mild short term discomfort of having a camera inserted at either end

[parrot]

A possible do-it-yourself idea
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P2NXV57/re ... NrPXRydWU=
Joking, of course.....but I like the other possibilities

[pipoz4444]

For the small cost of saving your own life, it is worthwhile having a Gastroenterologists perform your colonoscopy, every 5 years max, after you reach the age of 65. Some suggest 7 -10, but playing it safe is every 5 Years. My last one was 3 years ago.

Bumrungrad offer a Colonoscopy Package of B 23,000 and a full Gastrointestinal Endoscopy & Colonoscopy Screening Package for B 36,000. Absolute peanuts, if you wish to have peace of mind and to live to a ripe old age. In all likelihood you will only need two or three of them, after you turn 65 years old.

The mymeditravel link suggest that some Hospitals that offer it for B 18,500 - 25,000

But then again, if you wish to die young, just ignore it.

Just one of many Trend Graphs on the subject. Can't verify the accuracy of the numbers or where they came from or what demographic make up they may draw from, but I suspect the Trend is reasonably indicative of reality and age risk. Just an indicator, that all. Clearly 65 to 80 years old is High Risk, for Males.

LINK: https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/packages/ ... ukEALw_wcB

LINK: https://www.mymeditravel.com/colonoscop ... n-thailand

pipoz4444