Colon Camera - Get a Quick Check For Colon Cancer With a Colon Camera

 

When you hear the word “colon camera,” you might snicker, thinking it’s some kind of futuristic medical science fiction. But the truth is that a tiny camera the size of a vitamin pill is now available to people who want to get a quick check for colon cancer. The device is a capsule that is swallowed and then transmits pictures to a computer for review. It may also let doctors see problems in the lining of the colon and rectum that they can’t detect with other methods.

The test, known as a ScotCap, is being offered at some hospitals to find out whether you have symptoms that suggest bowel cancer. The test is different from a regular colonoscopy, which uses a tool called a colonoscope to look at the inside of the large intestine and colon (rectum). During a regular colonoscopy, you lie on your back with an inflated pillow under your stomach. You can often breathe normally during the procedure, but you must use a laxative to soften your stools before the colonoscopy. You must wear a hospital gown during the procedure.

During a ScotCap test, you’ll wear a recorder around your waist. It will take pictures of your bowel as the capsule passes through, and send them to a computer that your doctor or nurse can watch. The doctor will give you the report in less than a week, and discuss it with you. If the report suggests something that needs further investigation, you’ll have a further test. This might be a full colonoscopy or a shorter test called a flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Before you have a ScotCap test, you’ll be asked to follow special dietary advice and drink lots of water. 大腸カメラ You’ll also need to take a laxative the day before your test and on the day of it. This makes sure your stools are as clear as possible so the camera can see well. Then you’ll swallow the capsule and wait for it to pass through your bowels. It will take about eight hours before the test is complete. The test is over when you see the camera capsule in the toilet after a bowel movement. You’ll then return the recorder and pill to your doctor.

Doctors say the pictures from a colon camera are clearer than those from regular endoscopies and that they can pick up more polyps and adenomas (growths in the lining of your colon). They’re also more detailed than previous tests for the bowels, which might have been limited by their thickness or other factors. The researchers aren’t yet sure if the results can be trusted completely, though. Some of the findings might be missed by the cameras because they don’t look inside folds or focus on areas that are full of mucus and bubbles.

The researchers who conducted the study have received research support from Given Imaging, Norgine, and Cook Endoscopy. Dr. Ponchon, one of the authors, has a consulting fee from Norgine and research support from Given Imaging; Dr. Neuhaus has a consultancy from Norgine and a fee for lectures from Cook Endoscopy, Boston Scientific, and Olympus; and Dr. Riccioni has lecture fees from Given Imaging. The other authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.