A large federal study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that a simple, inexpensive scope of the lower portion of the bowel can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and dying from the disease.
While many physicians recommend a full colonoscopy to assess risk of colon cancer, patients typically refuse because the test is both costly and unpleasant. A simple sigmoidoscopy, which is much cheaper and much less invasive than a colonoscopy, can provide much of the same benefits as a full colonoscopy, the study finds. A sigmoidoscopy can be done in a normal doctor's office, requires little bowel preparation, and typically costs between $150 and $300, as compared to between $1,000 and $2,000 for a colonoscopy.
Colorectal cancer is a serious problem in the United States. Each year, 143,000 people are newly diagnosed with the disease and 52,000 people die. Indeed, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. More than anything else, experts urge older adults to talk to their doctors about colorectal cancer and get screened.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or someone you love has suffered injury because a physician has misdiagnosed or failed to diagnose cancer, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney. A knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assess your case and help you get the compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering you deserve. For more information about what a medical malpractice attorney can do for you, contact us today.
Source: Newsnet5.com, "Study: simple scope exam cuts colon cancer deaths," Marilynn Marchione.
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