Pre-colonoscopy consultation

Dr. Blunt – Come in Mr. Sharp; please, take a seat. As you know, the results of your hemoccult test were positive. First, let me explain what this means. This test detects blood in the stools. This doesn’t mean you’ve got colorectal cancer, but we have to have a look to make sure. We may find polyps, small growths on the lining of your bowel. If we do find any, we’ll remove them and send them to the pathology lab for tests. In fact, the colonoscopy is negative in about 50% of examinations. And if this is the case for you, you won’t need to do another screening test for five years. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Mr. Sharp – But what if it’s positive?

Dr. Blunt – As I said, if we do find something, we’ll remove it and send it to the pathology lab. They’ll see what kind of cells are involved, and we’ll call you back for a consultation to explain the results and to plan the next step. Maybe further investigations, or treatment, but let’s not cross that bridge till we come to it.

Mr. Sharp – OK, Doctor. So, could you tell me more about the colonoscopy?

Dr. Blunt – Well, usually, it’s done under general anesthesia. While you’re asleep, we insert an endoscope, it’s a sort of miniature camera at the end of a long flexible tube, into your rectum, and we gently feed it through your large intestine. That’s why you’ll need to see the anesthetist to check your medical history, possible allergies and your vital signs, and you’ll have to sign a consent form. The secretary will arrange an appointment for you before you leave.

Mr. Sharp – I spoke to my brother-in-law the other day. He had one a couple of months ago, and he said that the preparation wasn’t much fun.

Dr. Blunt – True, but it’s very important to do it properly. If your bowel isn’t perfectly flushed out, we may miss small polyps, for example, and you may have to start from scratch and go through the whole process again. So, let’s do it right first time.

Let me explain what you have to do. First of all, diet. During the three days before the examination don’t eat any high-fiber foods like cereals, nuts, raw fruit or vegetables et cetera. On the day before, try not to eat any solid foods at all. This will make the prep easier. Then in the afternoon and evening before the colonoscopy you have to drink the mixture to rinse out your bowel. This liquid will give you a sort of diarrhea, so you’ll need to stay near the toilet, because when the urge to go hits, you can’t hold it back. After that you mustn’t eat anything, but you can drink clear liquids.

Mr. Sharp – How long does the colonoscopy take?

Dr. Blunt – Not very long. You’ll come in first thing in the morning, we’ll put you to sleep, do the examination and send you to the recovery room to wake up. I’ll come and see you to explain what we found, if anything, and we should get the results from the pathology lab within the week, so we’ll contact you then. Just one more thing, could you arrange for someone to come to the hospital to pick you up, because you’ll probably be feeling a bit groggy, so it’s unwise to drive - best to play on the safe side.

Mr. Sharp – No problem, my wife will come and pick me up.

1. Find in the text a word or expression (in bold) equivalent to the words or expressions below:

1. beau-frère
2. consentement éclairé
3. constantes
4. convenablement, correctement
5. cru
6. dans le cirage
7. délicatement, avec précaution
8. dépistage
9. des examens supplémentaires
10. faire glisser le long de
11. grosseur, croissance
12. il n’est pas sage
13. impliquées
14. intestin
15. muqueuse, paroi
16. nettoyé
17. noix, noisettes, amandes…
18. régime alimentaire
19. retirer, exciser
20. salle de réveil
21. se retenir
22. selles
23. venir vous chercher

2. Find in the text an expression equivalent to the following proverbs or set phrases:

1. recommencer à zéro

2. croisons les doigts

3. quand l’envie devient pressante

4. il vaut mieux assurer ses arrières

5. chaque chose en son temps

Source:

*Professeurs d’anglais médical `a l’université de Dijon