Opinion
Patients, to their peril, are resistant to colonoscopies when warranted
LETTER — Posted May 8, 2006
Regarding "Colorectal cancer screening: Make the recommendation" (Column, April 17): Thank you for the article on colorectal cancer screening.
In my opinion, it is "the hemorrhoid" that is the greatest deterrent to patients' receiving the proper and earliest evaluation for the prevention of colon cancer.
The primary care physician constantly advises the patient to seek the proper test for evaluation of bowel symptoms. The patients, however, insist that their bowel symptoms are due to hemorrhoids and refuse their doctor's recommendation for colonoscopy.
In the Toledo, Ohio area, one insurance carrier sends their insureds letters advising them that a colonoscopy should be carried out for good health.
Your article, pointing out that colon cancer can be prevented, should be copied and distributed to all patients.
Allan Miller, DO, Toledo, Ohio
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/05/08/edlt0508.htm.












