An embaresing subject. Costipation.

[tescoapp]

Must admit I was very anti my AME doing anything more than was strickly required on my annuals.

Now while remaining with the same one for a number of years I wouldn't change even if I moved. He is quite proud of the number of cancers he has found early and the almost complete recovery rate afterwards.

GP's are a problem for myself and presumably alot of other Pilots. Its virtually impossible to get an appointment short notice. They are usually booked up days in advanced by what appears to be either mums and kids or oldies. And unless you report ill its virtually impossible to get your roster changed to be able to see them if a slot does become available.

And as the topic of well man clinics isn't really discussed when your sub 40 it all comes as a bit of a shock the things you should look out for.

As with most things it is the fear of the unknown which tends to make people avoid contact with the medics.

So a thread on GP's and what they do and what they should be doing would be much apprecated. Also any common procedures which we can expect in future would be great as well. Women seem to discuss this stuff with each other alot in passing and seem alot more organised with t all.

[gingernut]

So a thread on GP's and what they do and what they should be doing would be much apprecated.

Hmmm, interesting concept, but I'm not sure if altogether practical due the multiple factors involved in preventing or detecting the plethora of conditions which affect man (and) woman kind.

I will try and start the ball rolling though, and perhaps use cancer care as an example.

Try and think of cancer as being a journey for the patient.

It starts with prevention. (Anyone care to contribute?), but I guess for most people, the start for them is a symptom, or a collection of symptoms. (Eg rectal Bleeding), through to the appt with the front line clinician, (usually a GP in the UK), through to a hospital appt with a specialist, through to investigations, through to further care, (surgery/chemo/radiotherapy) through to cure, relapse or death.

Common sense (and evdence), tells us that if you shorten any part of the journey, (eg the time between a patient noting his rectal bleeding to when he presents to the GP), then the patient generally fairs better.

Generally, the two ways of shortening the journey, (or parts of the journey), are to re-organise the services, and to stick to what we know works, and delivering it in a timely fashion.



This model is limited, and it has it's limitations, and what I've said is very much a generalisation, but maybe a starting point??

(I hope it doesn't dissolve into a moan, rather something more constructive!) cheers, ginge

[tescoapp]

Nearly what I meant.

Take cancer again.

What symtoms should we think "eeelad better get off to quack"

For the top say 5 bloke cancers.

And I must admit before reading this thread on hearing of a colonoscopy creates visions of either the thing that the drain blockage boys use down the drains. Or a sodding great funnel with a 8 battery Magnlight.

And a few people saying they have had it and its not that unpleasant makes a big difference.

Personally I think the change up to 12 months over 40 is maybe not as good an idea as first thought. My AME is more than happy to continue seeing us at a reduced fee if we should so desire every 6 months. Which I have taken him up on.

[North County Pilot]

As for prevention - a recent report published by the World Cancer Research Fund on Cancer and Diet makes for interesting if not painful reading ( no more BLT's for me!) Check it out at www.wcrf-uk.org.

In my experience your body will tell you if something is wrong - it's up to you whether you choose to ignore the signals and put that visit to the doc. on the long finger. GP's are only the first line of defence and if the problem does not clear up quickly its best to see a specialist asap. It's better to be safe than sorry.

[gingernut]

What symtoms should we think "eeelad better get off to quack"

I am trying to find a link to a document that I use frequently, but unfortunately I can't find it- I must say a search on google did reveal some pretty misleading info re cancer prevention, and warning signs.

As regards screening for disease in a well patient, the current technology is limited, I'm afraid.

Screening tests should fulfill the following criteria (WHO 1968)

(it's an old paper, bur relevant today).


World Health Organization — Principles of Screening.

1. The condition should be an important health problem.
2. There should be a treatment for the condition.
3. Facilities for diagnosis and treatment should be available.
4. There should be a latent stage of the disease.
5. There should be a test or examination for the condition.
6. The test should be acceptable to the population.
7. The natural history of the disease should be adequately understood.
8. There should be an agreed policy on who to treat.
9. The total cost of finding a case should be economically balanced in relation to medical expenditure as a whole.
10. Case-finding should be a continuous process, not just a "once and for all" project.

'spose you could add a couple of things to the list.

11. Performing the screening should affect the outcome positively.
12. The benefits should outweight the risks.




It has to be said, if they don't we shouldn't be offering it.

Don't know what the others think, where's slim slag, he likes lists?

[VH-MLE]

Dear Loose rivets,

How are things going? It's been a few days now since your last post on this topic and was just wondering if there have been any further developments for you?

Regards.

VH-MLE

[Loose rivets]

Thanks for asking.

Well, the Lactulose syrup got over an immediate problem...erm, rather quickly. But now the prostate thing is rearing its ugly head. I'm orf to the specialist this AM, and will see what he has to say.

The doctor said. "It's a good cancer to have, takes years to kill you." Thing is, that my mom was still charging around the village on her electric buggy at age 93. I often think young doctors think of 70 ish as being at the end of the spectrum. Like a good car, once past 50, its stunning how fast you seem to accelerate to 70.

My problem is that I was very fit and exceedingly boyish...nay, juvenile, at nearly 60. Back pain changed my whole life, and the sudden change is hard to accept.

I gave up a very comfortable lifestyle to be near the kids and grand-kids, and helped out with things like getting started with houses and odd small crisis management. The end result is that I can't really afford to live in the US. and our beloved government at home withdraw my right to medicine after 90 days. I guess they have to save it for folk that are flooding into the country.

The fact is that the rule has been in place since 1948, but that's the point. In those days it was reasonable to say that people that moved abroad should make their own arrangements, but now things are quite different. There are thousands of families that are split by oceans and now they are able to spend time with them because of aviation. The 90 day rule is obsolete in the modern world.

Must dash...I will return as they say.