For colon cancer screening, going old school reduces cancer risk

It’s a Deal Breaker

Here’s the good news: You can get colon cancer screening without being subjected to the invasiveness of a colonoscopy.

But the really bad news: This technique, called computed tomography (CT scanning), delivers 400 times the radiation exposure of a chest x-ray.

Hmmm…

Does that sound like maybe enough radiation to increase cancer risk?

Funny thing–some FDA scientists think so too.

A couple of months ago, agency officials announced that efforts would be made to improve communications with doctors and consumers concerning the safety of CT and other imaging techniques.

Good move. The National Cancer Institute estimates that radiation-induced cancers account for about 14,000 deaths in the U.S. every year.

But as you might suspect, FDA officials aren’t exactly overjoyed about tapping the brakes on medical imaging use. After all, it means they won’t be able to give a Free Pass to major corporate fat cats like General Electric. (Don’t worry though–I’ve got a hunch GE execs will end up getting ALMOST everything they want.)

The New York Times reports that a group of FDA scientists objected to a 2009 GE application to allow CT scans for colon cancer screenings. One of those scientists, Dr. Julian Nicholas, told the Times, “I was first ignored, then pressured to change my scientific opinion, and when I refused to do that, I was intimidated and ultimately terminated.”

Yep…that sounds like our FDA, alright.

Buy the ticket, take the ride

So if GE does get FDA approval, here’s how the dominoes will fall…

Domino one: GE and other companies will aggressively market CT for colon cancer screening
Domino two: Medicare and private insurers will be more likely to cover CT use
Domino three: Many more people will begin getting CT screenings
Domino four: A sharp increase in radiation exposure will increase cancer risk

In the end (yes–pun intended) patients who choose CT over colonoscopy are likely to be disappointed. True, they’ll avoid the invasiveness of “the tube,” which is dreaded by many. But ask anyone who’s had a colonoscopy and most will tell you that the worst part of the procedure is the prep, not the tube.

The day before the procedure a powerful laxative has to be taken. Underline and circle the word “powerful” and…’nuff said. It’s quite a ride. And this is a ride you’re required to take, whether getting a CT or a colonoscopy.

Secondly, there actually IS an invasiveness factor in CT. To begin the procedure, a tube is inserted in the rectum and air is pumped into the colon. And by all reports, this is not a pleasant sensation.

And finally, if the CT procedure discovers suspicious polyps…can you guess what happens next? Your doctor schedules a colonoscopy to remove the polyps.

And that’s the primary reason colonoscopy is superior to CT: When polyps are found they are removed on the spot.

Well…there is that one other primary reason: Zero radiation exposure.

Priceless.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:
“Scientists Say F.D.A. Ignored Radiation Warnings” Gardiner Harris, New York Times, 3/28/10, nytimes.com