New Laxative-free Colonoscopy May Increase Screenings

By Good News Network Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Health - General

People getting checked for signs of colon cancer may not need to take a laxative if they choose a less invasive scan for their cancer screening over a tradition colonoscopy, according to a new study.

605 people over the age of 50 received the so-called CT colonography test and got results that were nearly as successful at identifying certain polyps as the traditional colonoscopy, but without the need to drink nasty laxatives, which may encourage more people to get screened.

"The results of this study open the door to a more patient-friendly screening," said Dr. Michael Zalis, the study's lead author and director of CT colonography in the department of imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

(LEARN more from this Reuters report)