Cancer Screening and Prevention: Applying Evidence to Naturopathic Principles

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852

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12/19/2009

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Research>Health & Medicine

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A couple in their early 40s comes to see you, concerned about their friend’s recent diagnosis of colon cancer. Their friend told them they should g... (More) A couple in their early 40s comes to see you, concerned about their friend’s recent diagnosis of colon cancer. Their friend told them they should get screened with a card that looks for blood in the stool. You know that fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) have a high false-positive rate that may lead to unnecessary worry and colonoscopy, and you know it is recommended that colon cancer screening be initiated at age 50. The couple seeking your advice has no family history of colon cancer
and thus is not at high risk. How do you weigh the pros and cons of early screening for these patients? (Less)