Colonoscopy still most recommended screening for colorectal cancer, despite conflicting headlines

Very nice article explaining an unfortunately common problem with the reporting of scientific studies in the media, misinterpretation and oversimplification of the results.

This is why it is so important to have some expert commenting on the article. Nobody can expect a reporter to understand every topic they are going to write about, so having someone with the experience to check what is written for correctness is a huge help. In this specific case a very importance nuance (the difference between the benefits of being invited to take a test and the benefits of actually taking that test) were lost in the reporting, and this can make people confused or to reach wrong conclusions.

I think I will follow the Doctor's advice.

Several years ago, my American stepfather had a colonoscopy. They pushed it up into his stomach with a good amount of bile. He ended up in the hospital for weeks. He didn't have cancer too. My dear Welsh nana had colon cancer, had it removed, and replaced with a bag. Anus removed.

The battle against cancer is an ongoing concern for many.

my American stepfather had a colonoscopy. They pushed it up into his stomach with a good amount of bile.

That must have been a duodenoscopy, to reach the stomach from the other end the doctor would need a colonoscope over 8 meters long.

Here in the UK we are invited to supply a faeces sample by using a supplied kit from age 60 every 3 years for bowel cancer. Women have Smear screening till 60 and mammograms at reaching 50 and then every 3 years. Men also have an aorta scan at 65 all these screening are carried out free of charge on the National Health Service.

One of the most interesting spelunking trips I have ever taken was staying awake during my own colonoscopic adventure and watching the monitor. One caveat for the intrepid G.I. explorer is that the colon is 'pressurized' during the procedure to inflate it, but a continuous spontaneous low moan helps to take one's mind off of the worst 'gas' pain one may ever experience. Quite the place, the colon, so pink and white even unto the ileocecal valve where the telltale brown leak of the prohibited (but absolutely required) morning coffee wends its way from the emptiness of an evacuated ileum, but obscures nothing. I highly recommend the tour especially if there are NO 'points of interest' along the way as was my case. Five Stars.