Virtual colonoscopies have been proven to be just as effective as the real thing according to the results of a new government funded study
Results of a new study find that virtual colonoscopies are just as effective when it comes to detecting colon cancer as are regular colonoscopies.
The study, which is published in the New England Journal of Medicine was performed by doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona and featured both real and virtual colonoscopies on participants.
For the virtual technique, doctors used X-ray images to look for any signs of colon cancer.
The study showed that virtual colonoscopies picked up 9 of 10 cancers and growths in cancer patients.
The doctors also stated that there are many advantages to the virtual test, as patients do not need to be sedated, meaning that once complete, they can leave the hospital immediately.
A major advantage to the virtual test is the price. Actual colonoscopies cost more than 3000 dollars, while the virtual test costs up to 800 dollars.
It is estimated that this year in the US, more than 50,000 lives will be lost due to colon cancer.
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