YOUR HEALTH

‘Virtual Colonoscopy’ Is Effective, Less Expensive, Easier!!

Scientists are excited about the long-awaited X-ray alternative to the dreaded colonoscopy. Medicare is considering paying for the procedure.

Doctors predict that this cheaper, easier option could persuade more people to be screened for cancer’s second-largest killer. A new federal study, the largest of its kind, confirms the effectiveness of the virtual colonoscopy for diagnosing colon cancer.

The study focused on CT colonography with a super X-ray. Though the test didn’t predict all cancers, a report in the New England Journal of Medicine says that the technique was excellent at ruling out cancer.
It also was valuable for targeting patients with questionable results, who are then referred for a traditional colonoscopy. That requires preparation to clean out the bowel, general sedation, and a missed day of work. The cost of the procedure is up to $3,000.

The X-ray test also requires cleaning out the bowel, but the procedure is not invasive and it requires no general sedation. The cost is $300 to $800.

The X-ray test should be available before very long.