Colonoscopy humor...

[Gaelen]

So what is a "virtual colonoscopy"? This sounds so much better.....

well--yes and no.
VC is considered a non-invasive procedure, since no scope is inserted.
But since it's done with x-ray or other scanning type technology, it poses a radiation risk regular colonoscopy does not.
VC is done without sedation, which is a plus.
BUT you still have to do the full colonoscopy prep so that the docs can see the colon clearly.

Most colonoscopy veterans are convinced (as am I) that the prep is the worst part...so if you have to do the prep anyway, AND if they find something during a virtual colonoscopy, you'll have to do the prep AGAIN so that te 'something' can be removed, well...the cost to benefit ratio favoring a virtual colonoscopy over the real thing is pretty small.

Here's a more official explanation:
"Virtual colonoscopy (VC) uses x rays and computers to produce two- and three-dimensional images of the colon (large intestine) from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way to the lower end of the small intestine and display them on a screen. The procedure is used to diagnose colon and bowel disease, including polyps, diverticulosis, and cancer. VC can be performed with computed tomography (CT), sometimes called a CAT scan, or with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)."

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddisease ... lonoscopy/

[Miriam C.]

Thank you Gaelen! I can't imagine doing the procedure twice. And I really can't imagine more radiation. I think I have had my quota for a long while.

[Gaelen]

I can't imagine doing the procedure twice.

My last colonoscopy was prior to this April's surgery, but they admitted me to the hospital after the scope and kept me NPO, so that I only had to prep once.

However, the colonoscopy prior to that was two days prior to surgery, so I had to prep twice. Even though the second prep was lower key (I stayed on a clear liquid diet for the two days so things would be easier...NOT!) it was still a prep and it still was nasty! Eeuuugh!

And I really can't imagine more radiation. I think I have had my quota for a long while.

LOL--just to be clear, the only reason the VC gets cited for the radiation risk is that for normal people who don't have frequent CT/PET scans for follow-up, you don't want to do more radiation than absolutely necessary.

For somebody like me, who's been in treatment since April, 2004 (and who had several brain CTs and MRIs since 2000 because of a stroke...) the risk of radiation is far outweighed by the need to stay on top of the disease.

I know the CT scan techs in MSK's hospital radiology department by name-- and Saturday will be (I think) my 50th CT scan. Between that and 25 targeted rad treatments in January of this year, I probably glow in the dark! But to paraphrase Randy Pausch's sentiments about developing diseases later in life due to treatment exposures--please, give me that opportunity!

On the bright side, researchers are VERY close to organized final testing of a simple blood test which has a minimum of 85% accuracy rate in detecting very early (pre Stage I) colon/rectal cancers by pinpointing some specific elevations in the blood. Now THAT is a screening tool I can really...um...get behind!