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Healthwatch: Colorectal Cancer

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Apr 8, 2008 7:04 pm US/Eastern

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CBS4 Colorectal Campaign: Virtual Vs Traditional

Click here for more information on CBS4.COM/Colorectal

Reporting
Dr. Sean Kenniff
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MIAMI (CBS4) ― CBS 4 "The Test For Life" campaign stresses the importance of getting tested for colon cancer and you can be tested for free. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and with few specific signs or symptoms, the only hope of catching it early is to get screened. That's why CBS4 is kicking off "The Test For Life" campaign.

About 150,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum every year, and about 50,000 will die from the disease. It strikes men and women equally.

For decades doctors have diagnosed colorectal cancer through colonoscopies. It's a test many people fear unnecessarily. That's why many are now trying CT-Scan colonoscopies often called virtual colonoscopies.

"The computer will allow us to do a fly through. Sort of like we are traveling within the colon. And we can look at the inner lining of the colon for abnormalities," explained Dr. Michael Hellinger, who is a colorectal surgeon at Miami's Mount Sinai Medical Center.

With virtual colonoscopy, the colon still has to be prepped the night before with a strong laxative. It is less invasive, and sometimes more comfortable. But Hellinger adds that virtual colonoscopy has some limitations. "It's probably best said, it's not ready for primetime. It's still pretty much investigational."

While virtual colonoscopy appears to find most tumors, it can't always distinguish stool from a tumor. Since invasive biopsies can't be done, there is little in the way to tell if a growth is cancer or a polyp.

"If there are abnormalities identified on virtual colonoscopy, the patient then undergoes a traditional colonoscopy to figure out what it is that's there," Dr. Hellinger said.

No doubt the technology will improve, but for now, experts say the old way, is still the best way to beat colon cancer.

Like all CT-Scans, the virtual colonoscopy uses x-rays, so that exposes the patient to some radiation, and it might miss some very small colorectal growths. But patients are not sedated for virtual colonoscopy, which is an advantage for some patients.

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