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Virtual Colonoscopy £1125

The European Scanning Centre is delighted to announce a new partnership with Bowel Cancer UK

From April 2010 we will make a donation to Bowel Cancer UK for every virtual colonoscopy scan we perform. We will double this donation during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) in April.

Book a virtual colonoscopy scan during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month this April and you will receive a 15% discount. To take advantage of this offer, please quote 'online colon offer' when booking. This offer only applies to single virtual colonoscopy scans booked by April 30th 2010.

Bowel Cancer UK aims to save lives by raising awareness of bowel cancer, campaigning for best treatment and care and providing practical support and advice. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, with over 16,000 people dying each year – one person every 30 minutes.

The good news is if diagnosed at the earliest stage, bowel cancer is highly treatable. This is why their health promotion and awareness campaigns – to encourage people to recognise the symptoms of the disease and to act on their concerns so that they have the best chance of survival – are so important.

Information on bowel cancer and bowel health can be obtained by calling the Bowel Cancer Advisory Service on freephone 0800 8 40 35 40. A range of factsheets are also available at www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/factsheets

Do I need a colon scan?

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

The diagnosis of colon disease using CT

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. CT can reveal polyps as small as 4mm, as well as picking up other abnormalities missed by the more conventional methods of viewing the bowel such as colonoscopy.

Virtual or conventional colonoscopy?

All colonoscopy procedures require bowel clearance using strong laxatives and distension 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 distend the colon, which is not only more effective but is also reabsorbed quicker into the body after the scan. This is done via a catheter (small tube) which is gently inserted about 2cm into your back passage. The CT scan 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. CT also produces static images which can show up any abnormalities on the outside of the bowel wall or in the area surrounding the colon.

In contrast, conventional colonoscopy requires the use of a colonoscope - a fibre optic telescope which views the inside of the colon. The patient usually needs to be sedated in hospital before the colonoscope can be inserted through the back passage and along the entire length of the bowel.

The advantages of virtual colonoscopy over conventional colonoscopy

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

Do I need to prepare for the scan?

You will need to follow a low fibre diet starting 2 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.