So I received the abnormal FIT test result letter on June 10th, 2021 and was promptly scheduled for a colonoscopy one month later which, being in the midst of a pandemic, turned out to be a very short wait time indeed! I was very lucky that way!!
Colonoscopies are considered the "gold standard" for colorectal screening. They may not only detect cancer but other colonic anomalies as well. If small polyps are discovered, they simply will be removed; larger ones get sent to a lab for a biopsy.
For the patient, the worst part is that you have to completely empty your bowels in preparation for the procedure. Your endoscopist will send you a letter outlining how to follow a special diet. Follow his or her instructions to a T. There are small variations on this, so I won't elaborate here. The worst part of the diet is that 24 hours before the procedure you have to drink a laxative solution, consume mostly liquids only and go to the bathroom often. Most people find this the hardest part to endure.
When you go into the operating room you will meet the team, a very kind, knowledgeable and experienced group of people and you may receive a sedative or a very light form of anesthesia.
In my case I was anesthetised and came to, after what seemed to be a very refreshing short nap. If there is any discomfort afterwards, it may be from a wee bit of gas to open up the pipes a bit, so that the endoscopist can have an extremely good look around. As a result you may feel a bit gassy for a day or two, but no doubt, you will come out "squeeky clean". (More than 95% of people referred for colonoscopy do not have cancer, according to the Screening Program.)
What happened in my case was that I went into the procedure with one endoscopist, but when I came to, a different young man appeared by my side. He was friendly and introduced himself as being a surgeon and we chitchatted a bit. He said he was going to take over my case and then came the three dreaded words that no one wants to hear: "You have cancer".
Hi Irmgard, I really like the information that you are collecting on one platform to help the people in need by this website. I am sending the link here that will give some idea about Efficacy of FIT vs Colonoscopy.
ReplyDeletehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31790657/#:~:text=Conclusions%3A%20FIT%20may%20be%20similar,with%20colonoscopy%20every%2010%20years.
Thank you. Krunal
Thank You very much Krunal! You are very helpful!
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