‘Colon-aid’ the Yeovil District Bowel Cancer Support Group
Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker Dr Steve Gore a Consultant Gastroenterologist at YDH and the Endoscopy Lead for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in the South West gave a very interesting presentation covering the role of colonoscopy in diagnosis and follow up of bowel cancer. He also covered the BCSP and the Somerset programme is scheduled to go live in November 2007 for people aged 60 to 69 years.
During the course of the presentation members were able to examine one of the older endoscopes that had an optical eye piece for viewing inside the bowel; later models provide an output to a colour display screen. A modern endoscope cost in the region of £25,000 and YDH had 7 of various types. Each endoscope was subject to specialised sterilisation procedures before being used on another patient.
The presentation included slides showing pendunculated and flat polyps and Dr Gore explained the techniques that were used to remove them.
When speaking about BCSP Dr Gore stated that the pilot sites had reported a 16% reduction in mortality in the year following introduction of the screening programme. This showed that bowel cancer screening was a very effective programme and should lead to a reduction in people developing bowel cancer and also downgrade the Dukes Stage by earlier diagnosis of those who had bowel cancer.
During the question and answer session members queried:
(1) Was there an alternative to ‘Fleet’ for preparing the bowel for examination? All patient members agreed this was the most disliked feature of internal examinations. Dr Gore replied that ‘Fleet’ had replaced the previous preparation in common use that had required 4 litres of fluid to be drunk! A clean bowel was essential to allow for proper examination. In the longer term trials of a vertical CT scan method with images equal to internal viewing were proceeding.
(2) In view of the risks associated with colonoscopy and as most cancers occurred in the lower part of the bowel would a sigmoidoscopy be an alternative for the screening programme? Dr Gore replied that this was already under consideration.
(3) A member had experienced severe pain during a sigmoidoscopy and the nurse asked for the examination to be stopped. Dr Gore replied that nurses monitored the patient and they had been instructed to inform the doctor performing the examination of any patient distress; the doctor was concentrating on the internal view and manipulating the endoscope. Sigmoidoscopy was carried out without sedation and was generally painless. Colonoscopy was carried out with sedation to alleviate pain arising from manipulation of the endoscope through the bowel in particular when negotiating bends.
A selection of presentation slides is attached to the minutes to provide an outline for members who were unable to attend the meeting.
The members thanked Dr Gore for finding the time to come along and giving us a very informative and interesting presentation.
Refreshment Break
During the break Stan and Hazel conducted a raffle for prizes donated by members. Our new member Mike was able to get to know other members. Members also took the opportunity to talk to Dr Gore and we offered to help in any way we can in promoting the BCSP in our area.
Our guest speaker Dr Steve Gore a Consultant Gastroenterologist at YDH and the Endoscopy Lead for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in the South West gave a very interesting presentation covering the role of colonoscopy in diagnosis and follow up of bowel cancer. He also covered the BCSP and the Somerset programme is scheduled to go live in November 2007 for people aged 60 to 69 years.
During the course of the presentation members were able to examine one of the older endoscopes that had an optical eye piece for viewing inside the bowel; later models provide an output to a colour display screen. A modern endoscope cost in the region of £25,000 and YDH had 7 of various types. Each endoscope was subject to specialised sterilisation procedures before being used on another patient.
The presentation included slides showing pendunculated and flat polyps and Dr Gore explained the techniques that were used to remove them.
When speaking about BCSP Dr Gore stated that the pilot sites had reported a 16% reduction in mortality in the year following introduction of the screening programme. This showed that bowel cancer screening was a very effective programme and should lead to a reduction in people developing bowel cancer and also downgrade the Dukes Stage by earlier diagnosis of those who had bowel cancer.
During the question and answer session members queried:
(1) Was there an alternative to ‘Fleet’ for preparing the bowel for examination? All patient members agreed this was the most disliked feature of internal examinations. Dr Gore replied that ‘Fleet’ had replaced the previous preparation in common use that had required 4 litres of fluid to be drunk! A clean bowel was essential to allow for proper examination. In the longer term trials of a vertical CT scan method with images equal to internal viewing were proceeding.
(2) In view of the risks associated with colonoscopy and as most cancers occurred in the lower part of the bowel would a sigmoidoscopy be an alternative for the screening programme? Dr Gore replied that this was already under consideration.
(3) A member had experienced severe pain during a sigmoidoscopy and the nurse asked for the examination to be stopped. Dr Gore replied that nurses monitored the patient and they had been instructed to inform the doctor performing the examination of any patient distress; the doctor was concentrating on the internal view and manipulating the endoscope. Sigmoidoscopy was carried out without sedation and was generally painless. Colonoscopy was carried out with sedation to alleviate pain arising from manipulation of the endoscope through the bowel in particular when negotiating bends.
A selection of presentation slides is attached to the minutes to provide an outline for members who were unable to attend the meeting.
The members thanked Dr Gore for finding the time to come along and giving us a very informative and interesting presentation.
Refreshment Break
During the break Stan and Hazel conducted a raffle for prizes donated by members. Our new member Mike was able to get to know other members. Members also took the opportunity to talk to Dr Gore and we offered to help in any way we can in promoting the BCSP in our area.