You may consider having a virtual colonoscopy if you are over the age of 40, or if one or more of the following apply to you:

• Family history of polyps or colorectal cancer
• Experiencing symptoms such as blood in the stools, constipation, weight loss, tiredness or abdominal discomfort
• Previously diagnosed with colonic polyps or cancer and would prefer a less invasive alternative to conventional colonoscopy

Colon (bowel) cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK. More than 30,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer each year, and about 20,000 of these die. Colon cancer is completely curable if discovered early enough. It has been estimated that widespread screening for colon cancer would save thousands of lives a year in the UK.

More than 95% of all colon cancers develop from polyps, nodular growths found in the lining of the bowel. Polyps grow slowly and can gradually become cancerous over a 5-10 year period:a polyp is generally considered a cancer risk if it reaches over 1cm in size. EBCT can reveal polyps as small as 6mm, as well as picking up other abnormalities missed by the more conventional methods of viewing the bowel such as colonoscopy.

All colonoscopy procedures require bowel clearance using strong laxatives and insufflation of the colon so that the inside structures can be seen clearly. Typically this is done with air for conventional colonoscopy, which can be extremely uncomfortable after the procedure. We use CO2 to insufflate the colon, which not only improves distension of the colon but is also more easily reabsorbed into the body after the scan. This is done via a catheter (small tube) which is gently inserted about 2cm into your back passage. EBCT then captures hundreds of accurate images from throughout the entire length of the bowel. These are reconstructed in 3D by a powerful computer to generate a moving, fly-through view of the colon. EBCT also produces static images which can show up any abnormalities on the outside of the bowel wall or in the area surrounding the colon. Conventional colonoscopy requires the use of a colonoscope - a fibre optic telescope which views the inside of the colon. The patient needs to be sedated in hospital before the colonoscope can be inserted through the back passage and along the entire length of the bowel.

• Can view outside as well as inside the colon
• Minimally invasive
• Faster
• No sedation required
• Safer, and no risk of colon perforation
• CO2 used for improved colon distension and reabsorption into the body
• You can resume normal activities immediately afterwards

You will need to follow a low fibre diet starting two days before your appointment and take laxatives to clear the colon. We will send you full preparation guidelines as well as the laxative sachets you will need.

The actual time you spend in the scanner is about 30 minutes. Further details can be found in the Your Visit section.