Testing saves lives
The recent Examiner article 'Test kit could save your life' highlights the importance of population screening in the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
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There is actually very little hard data showing how effective screening is. However trends demonstrated in cases recorded in a CRC Registry, which has been operating continuously at Concord Hospital since 1971, have provided strong evidence for the beneficial effect of screening.
An analysis of 5217 consecutive patients treated by partial bowel removal from 1971 to 2013 inclusive showed that from about 1980, when screening by faecal occult blood testing and endoscopy were progressively introduced, there was (1) an increasing proportion of patients who had a positive screening test but no symptoms at the time of their bowel surgery (this group of patients, who had surgery for CRC but had no symptoms, rose progressively to about 20 per cent over the study period. Without screening there would have been a delay in diagnosis in this group). (2) as might be expected there was a steady increase in the proportion of tumours at an early stage of spread (and therefore potentially curable), (3) a reduction in the proportion of patients requiring an urgent operation (usually due to an advanced stage tumour).
These, and other trends noted during the study period, were documented in two papers in the ANZ Journal of Surgery (Jan/Feb 2017).
The take home message is that regular faecal occult blood testing saves lives.
Ron Newland, Fingal Bay
- ALSO READ: Letters to the Editor: June 3
Lessons from a fourth lockdown
The fourth lockdown of Melbourne should teach us all valuable lessons about the infectious COVID-19 virus. The outbreak of community transmissions, specially in densely populated Melbourne's northern suburbs, are wake-up calls to us all. Too often infection transmissions have occurred in hotel quarantine and transferred outside undetected. In my opinion, the ventilation systems in high-rise hotels and high-rise buildings need a total re-design.
Ernest To, Medowie
- Submit a letter to the Examiner's editor at: portstephensexaminer.com.au/comment/send-a-letter-to-the-editor
State your affiliations
It is nearing time for council elections when candidates seem to suddenly pop up out of the woodwork.
To assist voters, I think every such candidate should be required to answer the following questions: Do you belong to or are affiliated with a political party? In the last state or federal election were you part of a political party's campaign? How often have you refrained from voting on issues citing vested interest? How often have you actually sought ratepayer feedback on issues affecting them? How often have you responded to community concerns highlighted in the Examiner? How often have you attended community events in your ward? When ratepayers have written to you with a complaint, observation, suggestion etc. how often have you acknowledged receipt of such submissions and how often have you engaged with such ratepayer(s) in writing or by phone?
The answers to these questions would not only be very informative but also very surprising.
John Foster, Shoal Bay
- ALSO READ: Letters to the Editor, May 27
Exposed to the elements
I am writing on behalf of a 91-year-old friend who relies on taxis to get around and wants to know why the uncovered taxi stand at Salamander shopping centre is left exposed to the elements. In a recent torrential rain event, my frail friend got absolutely drenched while waiting for a cab. Both of us are wondering why the area cannot be enclosed to protect people from the weather? This area is also a drop off/pick up point for the community bus. At the nearby shopping centre carpark, about half of that area has been covered by shade cloth. Why can't they install similar protection for those waiting at the taxi stand?