Anyone that has undergone a traditional colonoscopy can appreciate why so many people prefer the speed and comfort of having a Virtual Colonoscopy. When detected early, removing colon polyps is a very simple procedure. Like most cancers, colon cancer becomes most dangerous when left to grow undetected. That is why men over 40 and women over 45 should make some colon cancer diagnosis an annual part of their lives. And the increased comfort and reliable accuracy of the Virtual Colonoscopy makes this exam one you should consider.

The 5-year relative survival rate is 90% for people whose colorectal cancer is found and treated in an early stage, before it has spread. But, according to the American Cancer Society, only 37% of colorectal cancers are found at the early stage.

SAY NOPE TO THE SCOPE™
The EBT Virtual Colonoscopy is a relatively new method of looking at the large bowel (colon) to detect polyps and cancers. This technique uses the EBT scanner to look inside the body non-invasively and creates a virtual reality 3D "flythrough" of the colon. Imatron's patented EBT technology allows high resolution scanning with only a fraction of the radiation of conventional CT scanning.

Finally, you can have a colon exam that isn't a pain. No scope, no sedation, no risk. Unlike traditional Colonoscopy, "Virtual Colonoscopy" is non-invasive and does not require the insertion of a five-foot probe into your colon. In fact the whole procedure takes just 15 minutes. And you can immediately resume normal activities when the test is over because there is no need for sedation.

Unlike the traditional Colonoscopy, the EBT Virtual Colonoscopy does not require anesthesia, intravenous lines, a colonoscope or need to fill the colon with liquid barium and no hospitalization or recovery period is necessary. It merely involves a gentle bowel prep given the night before, followed the next day by the scan. A small amount of carbon dioxide is introduced into the colon through a small enema tip. The image is then reviewed by a Board Certified Radiologist.

VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING
You can be assured that the Virtual Colonoscopy is as accurate as the invasive colonoscopy. The virtual colonoscopy also can, in some instances, see more than a conventional colonoscopy.

• Virtual Colonoscopy visualizes 100% of the interior and exterior colon. Traditional colonoscopy typically visualizes only 80% of the interior colon, as it is unable to see behind colon folds, where polyps may hide. Additionally, in approximately 5% of all cases, the patient's colon is too long to allow traditional colonoscopy to reach the cecum (the beginning of the colon) .
• Traditional colonoscopy requires the insertion of a 5 foot long scope in the patient's rectum, with the attendant possible risk of colon perforation. Virtual Colonoscopy requires the insertion of a 1 inch enematip to allow for the introduction of carbon dioxide to inflate the colon.
• Traditional colonoscopy requires the administration of anesthesia, with all its attendant potential complications and activity restrictions for the remainder of the day. Virtual Colonoscopy does not require anesthesia, and therefore the patient can resume normal activities immediately after this 30 minute procedure.
• Traditional colonoscopy requires strict dietary preparation and vigorous bowel cleansing with harsh laxatives. Virtual Colonoscopy requires mild dietary preparation and mild bowel cleansing.
• Traditional colonoscopy only examines the colon, while Virtual Colonoscopy allows for the examination of the other organs of the abdomen and pelvis.
• It's estimated that about 92 percent of people who have a colonoscopy will not have any polyps that need further exploration.