Image from AGA Institute

It’s important to have standards for quality colonoscopy and to be sure that quality measures are included in doctors’ reports after each procedure.

In light of the recently published study showing colonoscopy impact on deaths from colorectal cancer, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) points out the value of documenting and reporting key indicators for a quality colonoscopy after every procedure. Read the rest of this entry »

Even if the reduction in deaths from colorectal cancer proves to be lower than previously expected, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) says that quality colonoscopy is still the best strategy for the detection of polyps and cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

The percentage of colorectal cancer deaths prevented by colonoscopy may be overestimated.

While still very effective in preventing colorectal cancer and deaths from the disease, limits of the test may be larger than previously thought.  Patients need to know that having colonoscopy does not guarantee that they won’t get colorectal cancer.

Experts now say that screening colonoscopy may reduce death from colorectal cancer by 60 to 70 percent and may not keep patients from dying from cancers on the right side of their colons at all.

A new Canadian study found that some people who died of colorectal cancer had a colonoscopy in the years before their cancer diagnosis.  A previous completed colonoscopy reduced chances of dying from colorectal cancer by two thirds in patients with cancers on the left side of their colons but did not decrease risk of death among those with right-sided cancers. Read the rest of this entry »

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) is meeting today to discuss whether the labels for Erbitux (cetuximab) and Vectibix (panitumumab) should include a mention of KRAS testing. The discussion at the meeting will have implications for future development of companion diagnostics. C3 President Carlea Bauman will be testifying during the public comment section: Read the rest of this entry »

On December 11, 2008 the C.B. Fleet Company voluntarily recalled all their over-the-counter oral sodium phosphate products including Fleet Phospho-soda® and Fleet EZ-Prep™ Bowel Cleansing System.

The recall follows the Food and Drug Administration safety alert on Thursday connecting oral sodium phosphate bowel cleansers to acute phosphate nephropathy. Read the rest of this entry »