Health-Scan Offers CT Colonography to Detect Colon Cancer; Early Studies Suggest it is as Effective as Traditional Invasive Colonoscopy.Health/Medical Writers BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 20, 2001 Health-Scan, Inc., a premier provider of the most technologically advanced health screening services, announced that it is offering CT colonography, also known as virtual colonoscopy virtual colonoscopy n. A screening examination of the colon in which x-rays obtained by CAT scan are used to generate computerized three-dimensional images of the colonic mucosa. , to screen for colon cancer colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. . Health-Scan is the only center in the Northwest actively providing this test in conjunction with heart and lung preventative scans. According to a recent study by the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC SFVAMC San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center ), CT colonography was found to be faster, safer, more pleasant, and equally effective as the traditional invasive technique for identifying clinically significant polyps Polyps A tumor with a small flap that attaches itself to the wall of various vascular organs such as the nose, uterus and rectum. Polyps bleed easily, and if they are suspected to be cancerous they should be surgically removed. . The study was published in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of Radiology. "Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death in the U.S., and the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, recommends everyone age 50 or older be screened," says Health-Scan CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Tom Giannulli, MD, MS. "But many people have avoided the test because it's uncomfortable and invasive. CT colonography, however, takes just a few minutes and requires no sedation, so patients can return to home or work immediately after the test." CT colonography uses an advanced CT scan CT scan: see CAT scan. See CAT scan. to detect colon polyps or cancers in the colon. Newly developed software creates 2-D and 3-D images on the computer, which look similar to those seen by conventional colonoscopy. In addition to evaluating the entire colon for clinically significant polyps, Health-Scan's advanced CT system also can be used for early detection of heart disease, lung cancer, aneurysms and other serious medical problems. Patients report that CT colongraphy is much preferred to the traditional invasive method. A recent Health-Scan patient commented on the procedure saying, "Even though I knew I should be screened, I never would have gone in for the traditional procedure because it's so unpleasant. Colonography is definitely less traumatic. Now I will have the test every few years or as frequently as I need to." Several studies are currently ongoing to further evaluate CT colonography and further establish its efficacy with respect to conventional colonoscopy. Health-Scan, headquartered in Bellevue, WA, is dedicated to providing quality health screening services to its customers across the Pacific Northwest. www.health-scan.com |
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