Colonoscopy News and Research

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Colonoscopy is examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope, inserted into the rectum. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

Ethicon Endo-Surgery SEDASYS CAPS system receives European Union CE Mark, Health Canada approval

Ethicon Endo-Surgery today announced that the SEDASYS® System, the first computer-assisted personalized sedation (CAPS) system, was granted a CE Mark for the European Union for routine colonoscopy and screening of the upper gastrointestinal tract (EGD procedures), and Health Canada granted regulatory approval for the SEDASYS® System for use by healthcare professional teams during routine colonoscopy.

3 May 2010

Researchers find better way to prep patients for colonoscopy procedures

Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital may have found a better way to prep patients for colonoscopy procedures so they no longer need to drink a gallon of prescribed fluids prior to the procedure.

3 May 2010

City of Manchester, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield enhance Compass SmartShopper Program

Citing strong interest and engagement from city employees as well as requests from school district members, the city of Manchester and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire announced today enhancements to the innovative Compass SmartShopper Program as well as the addition of Manchester school district employees to the project.

23 Apr 2010

Study: Scientists advance toward development of urine test for detecting colon cancer

Scientists are reporting an advance toward development of a urine test for detecting colon cancer, the third most common cancer in the United States. Such a test could eventually compliment or even reduce the need for colonoscopy, the mainstay screening test used today. The study, which analyzes chemical differences in the urine of humans with and without colon cancer, is in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research, a monthly publication.

22 Apr 2010

National health care reform package promises to reduce number of uninsured Americans

The national health care reform package signed by President Obama recently promises to significantly reduce the number of uninsured Americans. According to the Congressional Budget Office, 31 million Americans who are currently uninsured will gain health care coverage under the federal legislation.

20 Apr 2010

Statin use may increase risk of developing benign colorectal tumors: APC trial

Statins did not protect patients against colorectal adenomas, which are benign precursors of colorectal cancer, according to results of a secondary analysis of the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib trial. In a population at high-risk for developing these lesions, results of this analysis suggested statin use may increase the risk of developing benign colorectal tumors.

20 Apr 2010

Current screening methods for FOBT are often not appropriate

More than 75 percent of primary care physicians in the United States who order or perform the fecal occult blood test as a screening option for colorectal cancer perform an in-office test rather than relying on the home-based test, even though the home-based test is more accurate, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found.

16 Apr 2010

Research roundup: The effects of health IT, doctor-owned treatment centers, long-term care issues

Physician-Ownership Of Ambulatory Surgery Centers Linked To Higher Volume Of Surgeries - The authors analyzed data from Florida, using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's State Ambulatory Surgery Databases, revealing "a significant association between physician-ownership of surgicenters and greater use" of certain outpatient procedures.

9 Apr 2010

Financial stake in surgery centers motivates doctors to operate more often

When doctors become invested in an outpatient surgery center, they perform on average twice as many surgeries as doctors with no such financial stake, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System.

7 Apr 2010

Study finds colonoscopy safe for Chinese children

Colonoscopy in children is a highly specialized procedure which is not often performed in the Chinese population. Data of its safety and diagnostic yield in Chinese children is scarce. One of the most common indications for colonoscopy in children of western countries is investigation and follow-up assessment for inflammatory bowel disease which is uncommon in Chinese children. It has recently been reported that there is increasing occurrence of childhood inflammatory bowel disease in western countries. It is, however, unknown whether a similar increase happens in Chinese children.

27 Mar 2010

Educating African Americans on colorectal cancer screening can reduce death rates

Physician experts from the American College of Gastroenterology raised concern that the majority of African Americans are not aware of the recommendation that they should undergo colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45—five years before current guidelines generally recommend.

26 Mar 2010

Colorectal cancer survivor shares her experience

For Hempstead resident Lynette Love, mother of four and grandmother of five, surviving colorectal cancer took courage, diligence and faith. Now a 3-year survivor, Love is giving the love back to the community through her participation in the Sprint for Colorectal Oncology Prevention and Education (SCOPE) run.

25 Mar 2010

Virtual biopsy probes to detect precancerous polyps to be available soon

The newest generation of "virtual biopsy" colonoscopy probes being tested at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida demonstrate that it might soon be possible to use such a device to determine whether a colon polyp is benign and not remove it for biopsy. Currently, all colon polyps are extracted during a colonoscopy and sent to a pathologist for examination, which adds time, expense, and some surgical risk, to the procedure.

24 Mar 2010

CT colonography screening identifies unsuspected cancer outside of colon

A new, large-scale study of more than 10,000 adults found that more than one in every 200 asymptomatic people screened with CT colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, had clinically unsuspected malignant cancer and more than half of the cancers were located outside the colon. The findings were published in the April issue of the journal Radiology.

23 Mar 2010

Studies reveal increased polyp detection rates with TER during colonoscopy

Two new studies show an increase in polyp detection rates using the Third Eye Retroscope (TER), a retrograde viewing device, during colonoscopy. The first study found that TER added to standard colonoscopy detected 13.2 percent more polyps than colonoscopy alone, including 11 percent additional adenomas (precancerous polyps). A second study examined endoscopist experience using TER and its impact on polyp detection rates, concluding that polyp detection rates improved significantly with TER.

19 Mar 2010

EDP Biotech briefs Tennessee state legislators on ColoMarker colon cancer test

EDP Biotech, a Knoxville-based company today briefed Tennessee state legislators on its revolutionary ColoMarker™ colon cancer test which potentially could save 50,000 lives and more than $12 billion in healthcare costs annually in the U.S. Legislators were also provided the opportunity to personally experience the ColoMarker™ test by enrolling in the control study group for EDP’s latest research.

18 Mar 2010

Levels of perceived cancer risk can affect health and longevity

Mammograms, pap smears and early detection tests for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and other malignancies are critical for catching cancer before it becomes deadly.

16 Mar 2010

Vermont: Only state to pass bill mandating coverage of colon cancer screening

Progress towards nationwide, state-mandated coverage of colon cancer screening according to accepted medical guidelines has slowed to a crawl as state legislators await the outcome of the health care reform debate at the federal level, a coalition of public health associations and medical professional societies reported today. With a better grade for only a single state – Vermont – 2009 marks the least improvement in a single year since the Colorectal Cancer Legislation Report Card began in 2004.

12 Mar 2010

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center recommends colonoscopy screening to reduce risk of colon cancer

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center are encouraging men and women to learn more about colon polyps and how they affect a person's risks for cancer.

11 Mar 2010

Campaign to Stop Colon Cancer Now launched in conjunction with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

The Campaign to Stop Colon Cancer Now, a campaign to increase screenings and prevent the nation's second-leading cancer killer, launched today in conjunction with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March.

10 Mar 2010