Washington (eCanadaNow) - Each year there are about 50 thousand deaths in North America from colon cancer, but despite this many people never receive the screening that could save their lives. There have been a number of famous people, notably media personality Katie Couric, that have taken the test in some cases very publicly.
Despite this media attention, many people still do not take the test. A group of medical organizations have gotten together and approved additional tests to look for the disease. Groups including the American Cancer Society have approved the usage of tests that include the virtual colonoscopy test when looking for signs of the disease.
There are now two tests in fairly wide usage to test for colon cancer. One is the traditional physical colon test, in which a tube is inserted into the colon, and the new virtual colonoscopy, which is a CT scan of the external body to reveal inner colon activity.
Both tests have their positives and minuses, and both tests are important tools in detecting and catching the colon cancer disease in its early stages.
The best test is thought to be the physical colonoscopy, but any screening is better than no screening, so the virtual colonoscopy is being pushed as a viable alternative by these different groups, including the American Cancer Society.
