Virtual Colonoscopies In the Headlines

Colonoscopies_scan_blog_May09.jpg As the government and Medicare have begun to scale back budgetary costs, they have virtually removed all allocated health-care benefits of virtual colonoscopies. The notion of Medicare covering the costs of procedures is still being wildly debated. Likewise, the scanner owners and developers like General Electric (GE) are finding it hard to sell equipment as well, which has also negatively impacted the industry. The Wall Street Journal said, "The key question is whether providing these so-called virtual colonoscopies will get more Americans checked for colorectal cancer or its precursors, thereby helping them dodge a major killer. Advocates, including the American Cancer Society, feel it will, although the agency that runs Medicare issued a proposed decision in February saying it wouldn't cover the tests. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, said there wasn't enough evidence to show these tests were an appropriate screening tool. A final decision on the matter is expected Tuesday" Regardless of your tactics for screening, the idea of getting checked for colorectal cancer is pertitent to your health. Thousands fall victim to colon cancer annually, while doctors still claim it is one of the most treatable cancers if caught early enough.

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