Capsule Colonoscopy Has Low Sensitivity

A swallowed capsule equipped with a video camera didn’t find as many polyps as conventional colonoscopy and missed 5 of 19 cancers. Sensitivity improved with a well-cleaned colon.

Doctors in Europe examined 328 patients who either had colon disease or were suspected of having it with both a capsule colonoscopy and traditional optical colonoscopy.  The capsule contained  tiny video cameras at both ends that transmitted images wirelessly from the upper GI tract and the colon. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on July 16th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tags: capsule colonoscopy, PillCam, screening

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S.

In the month of March we are working to increase awareness that lives can be saved with screening. and colorectal cancer often can be prevented.

There is no shame in preventing cancer, and there are no reasons not to undergo screening. I have done my colonoscopy myself since I have a family history of colon cancer. It was pretty easy. The worst was the preparation a day before…which, in fact, was my day in Norris clinic. When I can do it, you can.

Regular screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. We know that screening with colonoscopies can also find colorectal cancer early when treatment can cure the cancer.
Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on March 23rd, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer awareness, Preventing Colorectal Cancer, screening

Colorado Colorectal Screening Program

The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program began in 2004 screening uninsured people by linking community primary care clinics to endoscopists. Funding comes from an additional tax on tobacco.  Since its beginning in 2004, CCSP has screened 6,850 people.

The program estimates that it has prevented 180 cases of colorectal cancer and 80 deaths.

Primary focus is on the uninsured 50 to 64, but colonoscopies are also offered to high-risk people under 50.  Program participants need to have incomes below 250 percent of poverty. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 23rd, 2009
Posted in: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tags: screening

ACG Updates Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines

In their new colorectal screening guidelines, the American College of Gastroenterology, says that colonoscopy, beginning at age 50 and performed every 10 years, is the “preferred” screening test for colorectal cancer.  They recommend that physicians first offer this test alone rather than a menu of options.

However, if patients are not willing to have a colonoscopy, they support offering:

• Preferably. a cancer prevention test: Either flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 to 10 years  or CT colonography every 5 years.
• A test primarily for cancer detection: Preferred test is fecal immunohistochemical test for blood (FIT).

They further recommend that African Americans begin testing at 45 rather than 50. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 18th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 2 Comments »
Tags: colonoscopy, screening

Friend Turning 50? Send a Card from Peter and Polly Polyp

Send a birthday reminder to a friend turning fifty — or older — letting them know that colorectal cancer screening can save their life.

Free musical online cards feature Peter and Polly Polyp and are personalized with your name, your friend’s name, and any special message that you want to send.

Friends don’t let friends forget about polyps!

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 13th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: screening