Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Alternative to Colonoscopy

Aired December 02, 2003 - 06:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Colonoscopy is probably not a word you like to hear at this hour and no one looks forward to having one. Well, now there is an alternative.
Dr. Sandra Fryhofer is here to fill us in.

We're talking about less pain and more gain.

DR. SANDRA FRYHOFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, you know, Carol, no one likes to hear about colonoscopy. I have a harder time getting my patients to get their colon cancer screening done than any other screening test I can think of. But, a new test could change that.

The new test, virtual colonoscopy, is actually a type of CAT scan that uses 3D computer images to look for polyps that could turn into cancer. Now, unlike conventional colonoscopy, you don't have to insert a scope, which means it's more patient friendly, if you know what I mean. A study done at three military hospitals found virtual colonoscopy to be just as sensitive as regular colonoscopy at detecting medium sized polyps.

The advantages? No sedation is needed, virtually no risk of perforating the colon and it only takes about 15 minutes instead of an hour.

Now, the down side is money. It costs about $1,000 and right now insurance won't pay for it. Also, many hospitals don't offer it, so it's not quite ready for prime time. And if you find something on this virtual scan, you then have to go ahead and get a regular colonoscopy to remove it.

COSTELLO: But at least there's hope for the future.

FRYHOFER: Hope for the future.

COSTELLO: Thank you.

Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, we appreciate it.

FRYHOFER: You're welcome.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 2, 2003 - 06:55   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Colonoscopy is probably not a word you like to hear at this hour and no one looks forward to having one. Well, now there is an alternative.
Dr. Sandra Fryhofer is here to fill us in.

We're talking about less pain and more gain.

DR. SANDRA FRYHOFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, you know, Carol, no one likes to hear about colonoscopy. I have a harder time getting my patients to get their colon cancer screening done than any other screening test I can think of. But, a new test could change that.

The new test, virtual colonoscopy, is actually a type of CAT scan that uses 3D computer images to look for polyps that could turn into cancer. Now, unlike conventional colonoscopy, you don't have to insert a scope, which means it's more patient friendly, if you know what I mean. A study done at three military hospitals found virtual colonoscopy to be just as sensitive as regular colonoscopy at detecting medium sized polyps.

The advantages? No sedation is needed, virtually no risk of perforating the colon and it only takes about 15 minutes instead of an hour.

Now, the down side is money. It costs about $1,000 and right now insurance won't pay for it. Also, many hospitals don't offer it, so it's not quite ready for prime time. And if you find something on this virtual scan, you then have to go ahead and get a regular colonoscopy to remove it.

COSTELLO: But at least there's hope for the future.

FRYHOFER: Hope for the future.

COSTELLO: Thank you.

Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, we appreciate it.

FRYHOFER: You're welcome.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com