Virtual Colonoscopies In the Headlines

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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