Welcome to the San Quentin Medical Corner. I hope to create a monthly letter to be included in the S.Q. News that will inform patients about the current activities of the S.Q. Medical Department.
This month, I would like to discuss screening tests, offered to people before they have symptoms of a particular disease. This allows us to find medical conditions or diseases early, when there are better treatments for a condition. Some of the most common screening tests we offer here are for HIV, hepatitis C, colon cancer, hypertension, and aneurysm.
HIV tests are offered to all inmates entering S.Q. through the R and R process. You can also request an HIV test by completing a 7362 form. You will not be charged the normal $5 co-pay for an HIV test. Finding HIV early allows for the patient to receive early treatment and medications to prevent associated infections. It also allows the HIV positive person to protect their family members by learning about behaviors that will keep their family safe.
Hepatitis C tests are also free at S.Q. If you know you have Hepatitis C, your screening test will always be positive, so there is no need to repeat this test. If you don’t know your Hep C status, or if you have previously tested negative, you can request another test by completing a 7362. We routinely test all inmates entering S.Q. through the R and R process.
Colon cancer screening is offered to all men over 50 years old. This test looks for microscopic blood in feces (poop) that may have been released by a small tumor. If the test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done which can remove small tumors. This test should be done every year unless you have had a colonoscopy. If you had a “clean” colonoscopy, you do not need to restart the stool test for another 10 years. If you are eligible for this test, you will be ducated to the lab, where the test will be explained.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a condition that can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems. It is easily treated with medications and lifestyle changes.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a “ballooning” of a large blood vessel in the belly. If the “ballooning” causes the blood vessel wall to become thin, it may rupture, usually causing death. The blood vessel wall can become thin as a result of high blood pressure (hypertension), smoking, and age. The test is an ultrasound of the belly and is done at S.Q. To be eligible for this test, you need to be over 65 years old and have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in your life. The test only needs to be done once. If an AAA is identified, there are treatments available that can prevent the rupture of the blood vessel.
Contact your health care provider for further information.
