What is Virtual Colonoscopy?

Also called CT colonography, it's an X-ray test that looks for cancer and precancerous polyps, precancerous growths, in the colon (large bowel).

Patients lie on their backs and sides on a gurney, which moves through a CT machine. If polyps are detected, patients have to return for a traditional colonoscopy.

Currently, virtual colonoscopy is not covered by Medicare or other insurance, but that is expected to change by year's end.

The X-rays taken by the CT scanner are put together digitally by computer, but radiologists who "read" the scans see images that look as if they are traveling through a real colon.

No sedation is required, though air is pumped into the colon to make it easier for the X-rays to spot any abnormalities.

Current advice is for virtual colonoscopies to be repeated every five years, compared to 10 years for traditional colonoscopies.

FACTS ABOUT COLON SCREENING

• Regular colon screening should begin at age 50 for people with average risk of colon cancer, except for African-Americans, who should be screened at 45.

• In a traditional colonoscopy, a long tube called a colonoscope with camera on end is inserted into the rectum and allows a doctor to look at, in real time, your entire colon. In this procedure, which requires patients to be anesthetized, any polyps found, which are considered pre-cancerous, can be removed. The procedure can take an hour, and the patient must be picked up and driven home and can expect to be groggy all day.

• In virtual colonography, a small device just a few inches long is inserted into a patient's rectum. The person lies on a gurney and is run through a CT scanner that takes X-ray views of the insides of the bowel, and also surrounding areas. No anesthesia is required, and the patient is finished in less than 20 minutes, and can perform normal daily activities.

• In both traditional and virtual colon procedures, patients must "prep" the night before by taking laxatives to cleanse bowels.

• Currently, most insurance pays for colonoscopies, which can cost up to $3,000, but not for virtual colonoscopies, also called CT colonographies, which cost about $500. The federal government is expected to approve the virtual tests for insurance purposes later this year.

Source: St. Joseph's Hospital, Atlanta

PREVENTION OF COLON CANCER

• Get screened, starting at age 50, except for African-Americans, who should start getting screened at 45. (There are various types of screening tests your doctor can recommend.)

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Try to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

• Limit fat in your diet, especially saturated fat. This includes milk, cheese, ice cream and coconut and palm oils.

• Limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.

• Stop smoking

• Stay physically active.

• Know your family history. You're more likely to develop colon cancer or polyps if a parent, sibling or child had them.

• Talk to your doctor about medications like aspirin that can reduce the risk of precancerous polyps.

Source: Mayo Clinic