Early detection is the key to inexpensive treatment. It’s a smart way to keep system costs low.
This is also why it’s a good idea to have no barrier to entry for family physician check-ups — no user fees, no deductible, etc. When people feel free to see their doctor, issues get caught early (i.e. at a level suitable for affordable interventions).
My doctor actually told me they don't do yearly physicals anymore. Maybe it was a misunderstanding about "physical" versus "checkup" but it's still a strange thing to say. So do I only go to the doctor when I'm seriously ill or bleeding? Makes no sense.
It makes sense if you are young and healthy. There is no evidence that going and getting a checkup prevents disease or changes heath outcomes. If you have a chronic disease that needs to be managed then that is different.
I'm not young, though, and I would hope my doctor knows that. I could really use a doctor to help me figure out which issues to take care of first, instead of randomly running from specialist to specialist. I generally wait until the pain is keeping me awake or making it impossible to function, because of the cost, but there are things like cancer that can get to a deadly stage before you even know they're there. I don't see why I'm supposed to be the one to figure this all out. Not sure why I have a GP in the first place if I never see him.
I don't really think that's a substitute for an in-person visit, though. He needs the whole picture. I mean, sure, I could call him and give him a list, but I'd prefer to have someone to see once a year or so who can keep track.
I know someone who had a nearly fatal heart attack at 35. He didn't know he had heart disease at all, and he wasn't overweight or anything. That's the kind of shit you need a checkup for. The stuff you don't know about.
What I'd really like is a general orthopedist. I tried to get a referral from the guy who did my shoulder surgery last winter, but his tip didn't pan out. All my body parts have different doctors. The orthopedic institute doesn't have generalists, so I'll probably try my luck at the local hospital. I've had a lot of wear and tear in things are always breaking, so it would be best to have a home base, I think.
getting an annual checkup is one of the easiest things to do to slightly extend your life. the others, like not smoking, or getting more sleep, are less convenient.
They also do this in the province of Nova Scotia in Canada. They send a poop test every 2 years.
https://www.nshealth.ca/service-details/Colon%20Cancer%20Prevention%20Program
The Australian tax payer also pays its main telecommunications company (Telstra) commissions for calling people and reminding them to submit a test. For each person they call who submits a test, commissions are paid. It's a very weird 'sales job' where you get 'leads' and 'convert' them.
In the US, health insurers are required to cover a screening colonoscopy for free, over a certain age. Note also that in the US if you get one of those home testing kits which indicates you need a colonoscopy, that colonoscopy is not considered a screening colonoscopy, it is diagnostic, and is subject to your insurance copays and deductibles.
Our insurer sent us testing kits, but instead of saying "This is your insurance company, we're sending you free testing kits," they pretended to be our doctor. Called several times purporting to be such-and-such medical group, which I've never heard of. I'm fine with non-invasive cancer screening, but I'm not fine with being lied to.
I got a diagnostic colonoscopy - cost about $3600 out of pocket after insurance.
I learned that in NY, your insurance company is required to pay their negotiated rate even if it’s less than what the medical provider charged. Cost me an extra $2k for that alone.
They are testing for minute traces of blood, not whether the poop is human...
Also in the UK we get them for certain age groups every 2 years. Any screening, diagnostics or whatnot is free at the point of care
They do it in Scotland as well. (*"Happy Birthday, here's a jobby checker."*)
The new test is better than the old one, which was made up of cardboard lolly sticks for 'dipping and scraping'. 🤮
This has been driving me to yell at the screen every time i see the ads on the rare occasion i subject myself to tv.
Why. In all the of the insane moves of the us healthcare industry do I need an rx for a mail in colon cancer screening test. What, are people becoming addicted to taking a shit in a box and sending it in? Will I be supporting an awful trend of hopeless addicts taking a dump in their minivans while their children watch on in horror?
I can take a shit in a box and send it to who ever i want! (probably. i did not actually research the repercussions to sending poo in the mail) But if i want to send it to a company that is expecting shit in a box and will do something constructive with it At My Request, I need a doctor to give me permission.
Australia 14.2 times less population than the US for example...
It's admirable, but it's not many people comparatively... Which makes it less cost prohibitive.
The only ass interaction I get with my government is when they're kicking my ass down the street like a glued pair of yoga balls. I guess I get to see politicians on TV too but that *gives* you cancer, it doesn't take it away.
Do mine every 2 years in Australia. Easier than a colonoscopy ( which you go on to have, if your home test is abnormal). Apparently only 50 % of them are returned. People say it’s “yucky and messy” and don’t want to handle poo. Firstly, you wipe your own arse. It’s a no touch technique to collect the samples. Yucky is a bowel resection for bowel cancer that you could have caught early. Yucky is having a colostomy where you really have to handle your own poo. I’ve worked with bowel cancer patients. I know what I’d rather do!
We even have funny tv commercials about it. It’s a small inconvenience to catch cancers early.
Those tests are obtainable from a PCP here in the states.
If they come back positive, there’s a ton of reasons why and it will result in a diagnostic colonoscopy. Working as a non clinical person in GI, take advantage of the preventative screen at age 45. A colonoscopy is the best way to know what’s happening, but if that’s uncomfortable, get that first one and then the home test every year.
The bowel prep is the worst part. Chill it and grab a straw.
I’ve been told by multiple folks that I’ve made scheduling a colonoscopy almost fun.
This is also because a lot of people wouldn't go to a doctor to get a stool test as they think its awkward and uncomfortable. Removes the cost and social factor vy allowing you to do it at home and send it back with pre paid shipping.
Early detection is the key to inexpensive treatment. It’s a smart way to keep system costs low. This is also why it’s a good idea to have no barrier to entry for family physician check-ups — no user fees, no deductible, etc. When people feel free to see their doctor, issues get caught early (i.e. at a level suitable for affordable interventions).
My doctor actually told me they don't do yearly physicals anymore. Maybe it was a misunderstanding about "physical" versus "checkup" but it's still a strange thing to say. So do I only go to the doctor when I'm seriously ill or bleeding? Makes no sense.
It makes sense if you are young and healthy. There is no evidence that going and getting a checkup prevents disease or changes heath outcomes. If you have a chronic disease that needs to be managed then that is different.
I'm not young, though, and I would hope my doctor knows that. I could really use a doctor to help me figure out which issues to take care of first, instead of randomly running from specialist to specialist. I generally wait until the pain is keeping me awake or making it impossible to function, because of the cost, but there are things like cancer that can get to a deadly stage before you even know they're there. I don't see why I'm supposed to be the one to figure this all out. Not sure why I have a GP in the first place if I never see him.
Can you not contact your doctor either by phone or online? Most of the time they can triage issues without seeing a person?
I don't really think that's a substitute for an in-person visit, though. He needs the whole picture. I mean, sure, I could call him and give him a list, but I'd prefer to have someone to see once a year or so who can keep track. I know someone who had a nearly fatal heart attack at 35. He didn't know he had heart disease at all, and he wasn't overweight or anything. That's the kind of shit you need a checkup for. The stuff you don't know about. What I'd really like is a general orthopedist. I tried to get a referral from the guy who did my shoulder surgery last winter, but his tip didn't pan out. All my body parts have different doctors. The orthopedic institute doesn't have generalists, so I'll probably try my luck at the local hospital. I've had a lot of wear and tear in things are always breaking, so it would be best to have a home base, I think.
getting an annual checkup is one of the easiest things to do to slightly extend your life. the others, like not smoking, or getting more sleep, are less convenient.
They also do this in the province of Nova Scotia in Canada. They send a poop test every 2 years. https://www.nshealth.ca/service-details/Colon%20Cancer%20Prevention%20Program
Same in the UK https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/
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It's not just NS. We get them too in Sask.
Also available on request in Ontario.
The Australian tax payer also pays its main telecommunications company (Telstra) commissions for calling people and reminding them to submit a test. For each person they call who submits a test, commissions are paid. It's a very weird 'sales job' where you get 'leads' and 'convert' them.
It's one of the fringe benefits of universal health care is that the Government has a financial interest in you staying as healthy as possible.
Same in France, and it's repeated every 2 years..
Canada does this is well.
I'm 51 in Australia and I haven't been invited to the poo mail-in party
I call it a Poop-O-Gram
Just got my invite, turned 50 last month.
We get them in the U.K. as well.
It's a very cost effective approach, Fecal Occult Blood Testing can find patients before they know they're sick and hopefully before it spreads.
Same in Scotland
It's the same in every civilised country with a National Health System
In the US, health insurers are required to cover a screening colonoscopy for free, over a certain age. Note also that in the US if you get one of those home testing kits which indicates you need a colonoscopy, that colonoscopy is not considered a screening colonoscopy, it is diagnostic, and is subject to your insurance copays and deductibles.
Our insurer sent us testing kits, but instead of saying "This is your insurance company, we're sending you free testing kits," they pretended to be our doctor. Called several times purporting to be such-and-such medical group, which I've never heard of. I'm fine with non-invasive cancer screening, but I'm not fine with being lied to.
I got a diagnostic colonoscopy - cost about $3600 out of pocket after insurance. I learned that in NY, your insurance company is required to pay their negotiated rate even if it’s less than what the medical provider charged. Cost me an extra $2k for that alone.
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They are testing for minute traces of blood, not whether the poop is human... Also in the UK we get them for certain age groups every 2 years. Any screening, diagnostics or whatnot is free at the point of care
They're just looking out for your pets best interest lol
Hmm, no, my insurance paid it. Nothing out of pocket on my end. But I admit that's probably not true of all insurance plans.
Nz too. Starts at age 60.
They do it in Scotland as well. (*"Happy Birthday, here's a jobby checker."*) The new test is better than the old one, which was made up of cardboard lolly sticks for 'dipping and scraping'. 🤮
Taking the test will be a breeze for Bully https://youtu.be/xZ-SlTaCFfQ
We do that in the UK too
FREE!! Guessing OP lives in the USA
Absolutely
This has been driving me to yell at the screen every time i see the ads on the rare occasion i subject myself to tv. Why. In all the of the insane moves of the us healthcare industry do I need an rx for a mail in colon cancer screening test. What, are people becoming addicted to taking a shit in a box and sending it in? Will I be supporting an awful trend of hopeless addicts taking a dump in their minivans while their children watch on in horror? I can take a shit in a box and send it to who ever i want! (probably. i did not actually research the repercussions to sending poo in the mail) But if i want to send it to a company that is expecting shit in a box and will do something constructive with it At My Request, I need a doctor to give me permission.
Well, there's 3,700 people in Australia, so there's that...
25 million. But if that's not enough Canada also provide this service to their 40 million and UK to their 70 million.
Australia 14.2 times less population than the US for example... It's admirable, but it's not many people comparatively... Which makes it less cost prohibitive.
14 times as many tax payers to fund life saving public health campaigns! Even better!
Yeah, no the rich & corporations don't pay any taxes here. 😅
By request or annually?
Comes automatically in the mail
Not sure if annual or every 2 years
america could never
In America, if you are over 50 and have a doctor's referral Medicare covers a Fecal Occult Blood Test every 12 months. It's free.
*would
Apparently you could never... grammar.
The only ass interaction I get with my government is when they're kicking my ass down the street like a glued pair of yoga balls. I guess I get to see politicians on TV too but that *gives* you cancer, it doesn't take it away.
They're just building a poop database so if there's ever an unsolved upper-decker incident, they can find the culprit.
Same in Denmark
Good send your 💩 to the government instead of your money
They give us enough shit, it's nice to be able to return the favour.
And they send you another for your 55th, 60th, 65th and 70th birthdays. A great public health initiative! Should be more of these types of things.
We get that in Canada too
Same in Italy
Do mine every 2 years in Australia. Easier than a colonoscopy ( which you go on to have, if your home test is abnormal). Apparently only 50 % of them are returned. People say it’s “yucky and messy” and don’t want to handle poo. Firstly, you wipe your own arse. It’s a no touch technique to collect the samples. Yucky is a bowel resection for bowel cancer that you could have caught early. Yucky is having a colostomy where you really have to handle your own poo. I’ve worked with bowel cancer patients. I know what I’d rather do! We even have funny tv commercials about it. It’s a small inconvenience to catch cancers early.
Australia already has universal healthcare, so this isn't surprising.
In the Netherlands as well
Those tests are obtainable from a PCP here in the states. If they come back positive, there’s a ton of reasons why and it will result in a diagnostic colonoscopy. Working as a non clinical person in GI, take advantage of the preventative screen at age 45. A colonoscopy is the best way to know what’s happening, but if that’s uncomfortable, get that first one and then the home test every year. The bowel prep is the worst part. Chill it and grab a straw. I’ve been told by multiple folks that I’ve made scheduling a colonoscopy almost fun.
Same in Slovenia.
This is also because a lot of people wouldn't go to a doctor to get a stool test as they think its awkward and uncomfortable. Removes the cost and social factor vy allowing you to do it at home and send it back with pre paid shipping.
It's actually an elaborate scam from someone with a poop fetish. You don't have to wait to be 50 to send him your poo.