The colonoscopy preparation is one of the biggest barriers when it comes to colorectal cancer screening, but the distasteful process may be about to change.
Here are five things to know about potential colonoscopy prep alternatives, according to a Medscape report.
1. A small pilot study presented at Digestive Disease Week examined alternatives to the unpleasant tasting and high-volume purgatives currently in use.
2. The company Colonary Concepts is developing the bowel cleansing products.
3. The edible products are made with the laxative PEG-3350, sorbitol and ascorbic acid. Options include pasta salad, puddings, cereal, smoothies and a number of low-residue foods, according to the report.
4. The study included 10 adults who ate the food the day before and the morning of the colonoscopy.
5. The prep was successful in all 10 patients.