I always ask the prescribing MD to personally review the test results, particularly CAT scans and X-rays. Amazing what is seen by the soecialist that the radiologist didn’t see.
20-30% of people with a positive test for occult blood in the stool never take the next step, to make sure it isn’t from colon cancer. Big mistake because catching colon cancer early provides a very realistic chance for cure. Don’t take any chances with this!
Thanks Dr. Graber for this excellent point. Aren’t the physicians responsible for letting patients know the importance of these results? Does the lab report say anything? How should communication happen for key follow up tests? How does it happen now?
There are LOTS of ways things breakdown. The good news in this area are programs, notably the SureNet program by KP Southern California, that track tests like this that need follow up and makes sure they get done: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36372785/
My favorite part of this is "no news is NO news" not good news. I think its very easy for many people to wish the old adage held up, but that's dangerous and avoids reality. Thanks, Helene.
I always ask the prescribing MD to personally review the test results, particularly CAT scans and X-rays. Amazing what is seen by the soecialist that the radiologist didn’t see.
20-30% of people with a positive test for occult blood in the stool never take the next step, to make sure it isn’t from colon cancer. Big mistake because catching colon cancer early provides a very realistic chance for cure. Don’t take any chances with this!
Thanks Dr. Graber for this excellent point. Aren’t the physicians responsible for letting patients know the importance of these results? Does the lab report say anything? How should communication happen for key follow up tests? How does it happen now?
There are LOTS of ways things breakdown. The good news in this area are programs, notably the SureNet program by KP Southern California, that track tests like this that need follow up and makes sure they get done: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36372785/
The UK has a NATIONAL program to improve test follow-up: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30510099/. We could use a program like this in the US !
Thanks! Great program.
My favorite part of this is "no news is NO news" not good news. I think its very easy for many people to wish the old adage held up, but that's dangerous and avoids reality. Thanks, Helene.
Thank you Roger. It's an important message and I'm glad you read that far lol.