September 18, 2008
and there was much rejoicing
A federal study of an X-ray alternative to colonoscopies confirms its effectiveness at spotting most cancers. Medicare is already considering paying for this cheaper, less intrusive option that could persuade more people to get screened for colon cancer. In the study, the largest of its kind, the “virtual colonoscopy” identified 9 out of 10 people who had cancers and large growths seen by regular colonoscopies. But the X-ray test’s real value may be in showing who really needs a regular colonoscopy — it was better at ruling cancer out than it was at detecting it, suggests the report in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine. Colonoscopies cost up to $3,000. The X-ray test costs $300 to $800. from the NY Times
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X-ray colonoscopies are something that can get behind me.