The colon is gently inflated with air rather than an invasive tube. In addition to the inside of the colon, wall thickening and abnormalities outside the colon may be detected. Images Several studies have now documented the efficacy of virtual colonoscopy . The landmark Boston University study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in December, 1999. Men and women from 40 to 50 and older should consider virtual screening for colon cancer.
Colon cancer is nearly always curable when discovered early.
Its slow growing nature makes colon cancer an ideal candidate for a screening examination. Patients who have been previously diagnosed with polyps or colon cancer should have a conventional colonoscopy unless that study is anatomically difficult or impossible, in which case virtual colonoscopy is a good alternative. A virtual colonoscopy is safer and less invasive than a conventional colonoscopy. Polyps take many years before they become cancerous. With proper screening, colon cancer can largely be prevented.