A cutting-edge technology called “virtual colonoscopy” promises fewer complications and better cost-effectiveness than traditional colonoscopy, researchers report.
These technologies have been compared before, but the current analysis relies on the notion that identifying and removing polyps smaller than 6 millimeters won’t do much to reduce colorectal cancer cases.
“Because there’s virtually no risk associated with having such small polyps, 90 percent of folks don’t need an invasive and expensive colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer,” explained lead researcher Dr. Perry J. Pickhardt, an associate professor in the school of medicine and public health and radiologist at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.