O/T CRguy's diagnostic ramblings

[CRguy]

Having read a BUNCH O' topics here for the last 9½ years or so .....
dealing with Docs and their diagnosing, follow ups, scans etc.etc.etc.

I do not recall ever sharing this little gem from an acupuncture seminar during my own training in 2001 :

" I don't make a tentative diagnosis... and then try to "prove" it ....
I make my tentative diagnosis and THEN ... do the FULL follow up to try to prove myself wrong,
thereby assessing all the things which "could not be" .... but often ARE ! " -R.S.

Very interesting perspective, only afforded those who truly embrace Integrative medical practice,
and practice in a socioeconomic medical realm which would allow the necessary "follow up" .....

to extrapolate : younger patients who are "dismissed" by their Docs 'cos ...
they are too young for CRC .....Or have colitis / hemorrhoids / IBD / IBS / etc. etc. etc.
AND IN FACT DON'T....

NOT that every test needs to be done on every patient,
just that the "standard" needs to be more flexible ... as a starting point
AND Docs need to be LESS attuned to what "should not be" BUTT... MORE attuned to, what in fact, could be.

just a thought here, as I review a whole buncha' posts and topics of current relevance, on forum and over the years.
We all kind of take things for granted, Docs too.

Kind of like Top Gun :
" Hop 31 ... Just a walk in the park Kazansky ... "
and then .... Goose is gone ....

NOTHING should be taken for granted
Not on this Journey ... ever

Cheers
CRguy

[Lee]

I am so grateful to my PCP for my colonoscopy referral. That referral saved my life. What were my symptoms, bleeding hemorrhoids. That was all. All those tests that should have been a warning flag came back negative or normal. My PCP figured those hemorrhoids were my excuse for getting my baseline colonoscopy early in life. Handed the script to me, said make the appt today because it will probably be 6 months before it get done.

Yep took 3 months just to see the GI doc, on the way out the door, nurse just hung up with someone that canceled their scope. Asked me if I wanted it, sure lets get this behind me. The rest is history.

Lee

[AnnClare]

My colorectal surgeon believes the 'standard colonoscopy screening age of 50' needs to be pushed waaaay up, like in the early 30's, at least.

Having been Dx'ed at 41 (with zero 'risk factors' and the only symptom being blood in the stool here & there - even my bloodwork at the time of Dx was 'normal'), I fully agree with her.
There was a story in the news a few months ago about how more and more people in their 20's & 30's were being diagnosed with CRC. Clearly, some things need to change.