Here comes a rant, and if you are squeamish, I urge you to stop here. . . Here goes: Did you know that men undergo prostate biopsy without sedation? Do you know how its done? Its not pleasant and its definitely invasive. Yep, they get a lidocaine shot to numb the area where the biopsy ultrasound tool directs the needle that takes the samples. The discomfort is described to the patient as the sensation of rubber bands snapping . . . hmmmm . . . People get sedation for colonoscopy, endoscopy, and certain cervical procedures. I really dont understand why men dont get sedation for prostate biopsy. Thats just wrong. Theyre getting the procedure because cancer is suspected, so it seems the least thing the medical profession can do is make the procedure as painless and forgetable as possible. If youre in the position to change this protocol -- a physician, nurse, healthcare administrator, insurer, policy-maker -- I urge you to do so. Sooner or later, someone you love is likely to go through this. I hope things change beforehand.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 05:23:29 +0000