A 59-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office for a Preventive

A 59-year-old man comes to the office for a preventive visit.  He feels well but has experienced an unexpected 2.3 kg (5 lb) weight loss in the last 2 months.  The patient has a 40-pack-year smoking history, and medical history is otherwise unremarkable.  Physical examination is normal.  Fecal occult blood testing is positive and colonoscopy is advised.  The patient asks, "A colonoscopy, that sounds serious!  Do you think I have cancer?"  Which of the following is the most appropriate response to this patient's question?

A) "Colonoscopy is routine in these situations.  We can discuss this more accurately once we have the results."
B) "I am not sure what is wrong, but that is the reason we need a colonoscopy."
C) "I suspect that you have cancer of the colon, and colonoscopy is the best way to confirm that."
D) "There are several possibilities, some of which are potentially serious.  A colonoscopy is the best way to know for sure."
E) "You probably have cancer, but I will be here to help you through it, no matter what."

Correct Answer:

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