A new method of performing virtual colonoscopy using a CT scan - which doesn’t involve the dreaded laxative preparation to clear the colon the night before - may be about as effective as a standard colonoscopy at identifying the large polyps most likely to become cancerous, according to new research. If the finding is confirmed, the technique could eventually serve as a first-line screening tool for colon cancer, especially for the many people who avoid screening altogether.
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"The scan also images areas outside the colon, sometimes detecting lesions that warrant further testing to ascertain whether they are cancerous. This can lead to unnecessary procedures when the lesion turns out to be harmless." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Exactly -- money wasted for unnecessary tests. That's why I never go to a doctor. It's unnecessary if there turns out to be nothing wrong.
A test to dye for?
The "Anals of Internal Medicine" -- really?
The worst part about my Colonoscopy was the prep. I woke up and asked the RN when the colonoscopy would start. The RN replete with ginger ale & graham crackers said, "You're ready to go home."
Sounds good for people who would not otherwise have a colonoscopy. The real problem is the politics. Gastroentrologists make a great living doing classic colonoscopies. This new procedure is in the hands of the radiologists and x ray departments. Both procedures have pros and cons. Colonoscopies can cause perforations of the colon and the anethesia has a small risk. Even the prep can cause kidney problems. The article stated the cons of this new cat scan procedure. As patients we should have a choice, because many of us do not ever want to go through a classic colonoscopy, but the real answer is "follow the money."