Douglas Rex, MD, a professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and director of endoscopy at Indiana University Hospital, shares his thoughts on colonoscopy as a promising tool for the diagnoses and prevention of colorectal cancer, according to an article published in Gastroenterology.
Although a number of published studies suggest screening colonoscopy reduces the incidence of distal but not proximal CRC, Dr. Rex reveals ongoing evidence showing the benefits of screening colonoscopy can be reaped once utilization is improved. In one example, Dr. Rex said proximal colon cancer protection by colonoscopy is operator-dependent. In fact, a study published in Gastroenterology showed patients of physicians who were neither gastroenterologists nor surgeons were at higher risk of developing proximal colon cancer post-colonoscopy. The same group of investigators also found patients of general surgeons had a higher overall risk of CRC post-colonoscopy compared to gastroenterologists.
In order to better equip effective colonoscopists, Dr. Rex suggests the development of education tools that address knowledge gaps, including how to achieve bowel preparation effectively and optimal withdrawal technique.
Read the article about Dr. Rex and his thoughts on screening colonoscopy.
Read other coverage about colonoscopy:
- 5 Strategies for Improving Profits at GI/Endoscopy-Driven ASCs
- Kentucky Demonstrates Successful Increase of CRC Screenings
- Mayo Clinic Develops Colonoscopy Skills Assessment Tool
Although a number of published studies suggest screening colonoscopy reduces the incidence of distal but not proximal CRC, Dr. Rex reveals ongoing evidence showing the benefits of screening colonoscopy can be reaped once utilization is improved. In one example, Dr. Rex said proximal colon cancer protection by colonoscopy is operator-dependent. In fact, a study published in Gastroenterology showed patients of physicians who were neither gastroenterologists nor surgeons were at higher risk of developing proximal colon cancer post-colonoscopy. The same group of investigators also found patients of general surgeons had a higher overall risk of CRC post-colonoscopy compared to gastroenterologists.
In order to better equip effective colonoscopists, Dr. Rex suggests the development of education tools that address knowledge gaps, including how to achieve bowel preparation effectively and optimal withdrawal technique.
Read the article about Dr. Rex and his thoughts on screening colonoscopy.
Read other coverage about colonoscopy:
- 5 Strategies for Improving Profits at GI/Endoscopy-Driven ASCs
- Kentucky Demonstrates Successful Increase of CRC Screenings
- Mayo Clinic Develops Colonoscopy Skills Assessment Tool