Midnight - You are quite right and good for you to not take no for an answer. Unfortunately what many doctors don't realize is that while it may not be the #1 cancer out there if you're the one who gets it, you don't much care how "rare" it's supposed to be. I say rare because the statistics for those individuals treated for high grade dysplasia (anal or otherwise) are not calculated into the risk factors. The only thing that is looked at and perpetuated is the number of those who actually got cancer.
With new technologies allowing for testing and procedures to treat these high risk often high grade precancerous lesions obviously this reduces the incidence of invasive cancer. It does not change the fact the thousands of people are still being treated before they get to that point which is great but it doesn't factor into the statistics that doctors or the public really hears about. Hopefully that will change.
With HPV now being responsible for more cases of oral cancer than cervical cancer perhaps the media will again get involved. Unfortunately, and as usual though, they typically drop the story like a hot potatoe once it's had it's shock value.
I would suggest you write to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and inform them of your situation and your dissatisfaction in this regard. Perhaps if enough patients do this, they will be more proactive in educating their members on these procedures and in recommending the vaccine going forward. Every voice makes a difference!
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Midnight - You are quite right and good for you to not take no for an answer. Unfortunately what many doctors don't realize is that while it may not be the #1 cancer out there if you're the one who gets it, you don't much care how "rare" it's supposed to be. I say rare because the statistics for those individuals treated for high grade dysplasia (anal or otherwise) are not calculated into the risk factors. The only thing that is looked at and perpetuated is the number of those who actually got cancer.
With new technologies allowing for testing and procedures to treat these high risk often high grade precancerous lesions obviously this reduces the incidence of invasive cancer. It does not change the fact the thousands of people are still being treated before they get to that point which is great but it doesn't factor into the statistics that doctors or the public really hears about. Hopefully that will change.
With HPV now being responsible for more cases of oral cancer than cervical cancer perhaps the media will again get involved. Unfortunately, and as usual though, they typically drop the story like a hot potatoe once it's had it's shock value.
I would suggest you write to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and inform them of your situation and your dissatisfaction in this regard. Perhaps if enough patients do this, they will be more proactive in educating their members on these procedures and in recommending the vaccine going forward. Every voice makes a difference!
June 11, 2011 - 4:44pmThis Comment
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