American Cancer Society Recommends Virtual Colonoscopy as Screening Guideline
Billings, Montana, July 21, 2008 - St. Vincent Healthcare is pleased to announce it now offers Virtual Colonoscopy for our community and our healthcare region. Just as the American Cancer Society adopts virtual colonoscopy as a front-line screening tool for colorectal cancer, St. Vincent patients now have access to the latest most state-of-the art equipment for this procedure.
Colorectal Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but most colon cancers can be stopped before they have the chance to start. Examination of your colon can locate precancerous polyps. Virtual colonoscopy can accomplish that with a minimum of discomfort. A five-to-ten-minute CT scan is all it takes, and patients can resume their daily activities.
Virtual Colonoscopy
- Is minimally invasive and is designed to detect polyps as small as 6mm
- Has the ability to view structures outside the wall of the colon, affording radiologists the potential of identifying abdominal abnormalities outside of the colon.
- Colon preparation with less discomfort than for colonoscopy
- Requires no anesthesia
Colon Insufflation:
As with barium enema, distention of the bowel is critical to a satisfactory examination.
St. Vincent Healthcare (VC) patients: will experience the least amount of discomfort with a new E-Z-EM PROTOCOL. This is an automated CO2 administration device that permits a constant, monitored pressure to be maintained, helping to avoid over-pressure conditions. Carbon Dioxide is readily absorbed by the body, avoiding the need to subject patients to extended discomfort from bloating and the embarrassment associated with eliminating room air.
Experts recommend Colon screening for the general population of men and women at age 50. Talk with your physician to determine if a Virtual Colonoscopy is right for you. To find a physician, call 877-SVH-5431.
For more information about the American Cancer Society and virtual colonoscopy as a screening guideline log onto: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_2_1x_Health_Groups_Issue_Updated_Colorectal_Cancer_Screening_Guidelines.asp ###