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Ninsuna's avatar

I am 71 years old & my instincts have always been pretty good when rejecting doctors' recommendations for risky, invasive, unpleasant, expensive and (to my mind) unnecessary diagnostic procedures. The colonoscopy industry has always felt more like a money-making racket than having to do with "healthcare". Then, there's my personal knowledge of four people who suffered perforations from diagnostic endoscopy (1) and colonoscopy (3). Not exactly a "rare" complication (I don't know that many people). Anecdotal evidence has value, too, in my book.

Then some years ago, here came the noninvasive "Cologuard" test, and I called the company and asked what percentage of the tests came back indicating the "need" for further testing (i.e. colonoscopy). It was ridiculously high, 40-some percent. I speculated to the customer rep that Cologuard must have financial ties to the colonoscopy industry.

My distrust of the medical-industrial complex goes way back. The Covid debacle just put the nails in that coffin.

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Deborah Dunn's avatar

I have never been able to find any medical person willing to honestly discuss colonoscopy, the pros and cons. I have steadily resisted pressure to get one since I turned 50. Pressure from family members. I'm now 66. I can't wait to read the other parts of this article! --D.D. Oregon

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