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.

Universal tumor testing superior to selective strategy in identifying Lynch syndrome among CRC patients

In a comparison of strategies to identify individuals with Lynch syndrome, the most common form of hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC), caused by mutations in certain genes (DNA mismatch repair [MMR] genes), universal tumor MMR testing among certain CRC patients had a greater sensitivity for the identification of Lynch syndrome compared with multiple alternative strategies, although the diagnostic improvement was modest, according to a study in the October 17 issue of JAMA.

17 Oct 2012

New colonoscopy surveillance guidelines from U.S. Multisociety Task Force

Patients at average risk of colorectal cancer who have a clean colonoscopy do not need to repeat the test for 10 years. This and many other practical recommendations for cancer prevention were issued in "Guidelines for Colonoscopy Surveillance After Screening and Polypectomy," a consensus update issued by the U.S. Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer.

3 Oct 2012

FIT in shape for new role in ulcerative colitis monitoring

Fecal immunochemical tests could allow noninvasive assessment of patients with ulcerative colitis, say the authors of a Japanese study.

27 Sep 2012

Lifestyle changes can play a considerable role in influencing risk of cancer later in life

Lifestyle changes can play a considerable role in influencing the risk of developing cancer later in life. The key negative factors include smoking, lack of exercise and being overweight.

26 Sep 2012

Alarmingly high rates of obesity and smoking found among Pacific Islanders

In the first study to detail the health of Pacific Islanders living in the United States, University of Michigan researchers have found alarmingly high rates of obesity and smoking.

24 Sep 2012

Research roundup: 'Early' cost-control lessons from Mass.; Colonoscopy coverage; Impact of PSA recommendations

On Aug. 8, Massachusetts' third health care cost control bill became law. It "sets annual state spending targets, encourages the formation of accountable care organizations, and establishes an independent commission to oversee health care system performance."

21 Sep 2012

Clinical trial to test whether fecal transplantation is effective in treating relapsing C. difficile

For patients with Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), a persistent and potentially deadly bacterial illness, severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are an everyday event. This particularly virulent infection is prone to recurrence, even after multiple courses of expensive antibiotics, and treatment options are limited for patients who continually relapse or develop antibiotic resistance.

22 Aug 2012

VolitionRX to initiate NuQ blood-based tests in colorectal cancer clinical trial

VolitionRX Limited, a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests, announces that its subsidiary Belgian Volition has signed an agreement with the Biobank of CHU UCL Mont-Godinne, an academic hospital in Yvoir, Belgium.

22 Aug 2012

Systematic approach to improve colorectal cancer screening rates

Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is cost-effective and saves lives by early detection. The ability to screen large numbers of individuals is especially important for states with tight health insurance budgets dealing with aging populations. However, in 2010 only 65 percent of US adults between ages 50 and 75 got the recommended screening.

15 Aug 2012

Colonoscopy with polypectomy decreases colorectal cancer incidence and mortality

A study from researchers in Switzerland found that colonoscopy with polypectomy significantly reduces colorectal cancer incidence and colorectal cancer-related death in the general population.

25 Jul 2012

Virtual colonoscopy effective screening tool for colorectal cancer in seniors

A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology has reconfirmed that virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) is an effective screening tool for colorectal cancer in seniors age 65 and older.

19 Jul 2012

Ferring Pharmaceuticals receives FDA approval for new colon-cleansing drug

On July 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Prepopik (sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide and citric acid) to help cleanse the colon in adults preparing for colonoscopy.

17 Jul 2012

Rheumatoid arthritis patients take-up cancer screening

Insurance records for rheumatoid arthritis patients in the USA indicate that patients are receiving their recommended cervical, breast, and colon cancer screening tests.

16 Jul 2012

More selective colon cancer screening urged

Updated guidance from a US task force stresses the need for targeted, high-quality follow-up screening in patients who have undergone colonoscopy or polyp removal, in an effort to cut down on unnecessary repeat procedures

11 Jul 2012

RA patients do not receive fewer cancer screening tests than general population: Study

New research reveals that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients do not receive fewer cancer screening tests than the general population. Results of the study, funded in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), found that RA and non-RA patients receive routine screening for breast, cervical, and colon cancer at similar rates.

10 Jul 2012

Study reinforces CT colonography as a viable option for Medicare-aged patients

A new study of 1,400 Medicare-aged patients reinforces CT colonography as a screening tool for colon cancer, adding to the continued debate over Medicare coverage of the procedure.

2 Jul 2012

Flat polyps may explain colorectal cancer screening discrepancy

Poor ability to detect sessile serrated polyps may explain why endoscopy is more effective at reducing cancer in the distal than the proximal colon, US researchers have discovered.

27 Jun 2012

Natural language processing programs can help measure colonoscopy quality

A new study shows that natural language processing programs can "read" dictated reports and provide information to allow measurement of colonoscopy quality in an inexpensive, automated and efficient manner.

23 Jun 2012

Screening reduces colorectal cancer death not development risk

Screening for colorectal cancer by testing for fecal occult blood reduces the risk for death from this type of cancer, study results show.

20 Jun 2012

CTC as accurate as conventional colonoscopy in detecting cancerous polyps

Computed tomographic colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, administered without laxatives is as accurate as conventional colonoscopy in detecting clinically significant, potentially cancerous polyps, according to a study performed jointly at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, the University of California, San Francisco and Massachusetts General Hospital.

15 Jun 2012