Is a Virtual Colonoscopy right for you?
You don’t have to go through the discomfort and hassle of a traditional colonoscopy to protect yourself from colon cancer. At Advanced Body Scan in Oklahoma Texas, our experienced team offers the most advanced body scan procedures using CT scan technology, including virtual colonoscopy. Don’t put off scheduling your colonoscopy, call the office or schedule an appointment online with Advanced Body Scan today.
What is a virtual colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy detects problems in your colon, like obstructions, inflammation, disease, and cancer. A virtual colonoscopy is a non-invasive screening tool that generates detailed images of your colon using noninvasive CT technology.
CT scans can provide fast and accurate images for your entire body. This cutting-edge technology produces scans at incredibly high rates of speed, capturing multiple pictures in one second. This enables the CT scanner to detect tiny anomalies deep inside your body.
When used to perform a virtual colonoscopy, the CT scanner can evaluate the health of your colon without the risks or discomfort of a minimally invasive traditional colonoscopy.
Who should get a virtual colonoscopy?
A preventive virtual colonoscopy can help identify issues or abnormalities before they become serious.
For men and women in the United States, your chances of developing colon cancer increases if you’re over the age of 50 and have a family history of the disease, especially if they were diagnosed at a young age.
Other factors that can contribute to your risk of colorectal cancer and other colon issues include:
- Crohn’s disease
- Colitis and ulcerative colitis
- Cigarette smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Obesity
You should also request a virtual colonoscopy if you have intestinal symptoms like rectal bleeding, bloody stools, abdominal discomfort, or changes in your bowel habits.
Even if you don’t have a history of colon cancer or related symptoms, you should begin getting virtual colonoscopies after you turn 50 as a preventive measure.
What can a virtual colonoscopy detect?
A virtual colonoscopy can detect several different issues, including:
- Colorectal cancer
- Colon polyps
- Kidney stones
Your virtual colonoscopy can also identify problems like abdominal aortic aneurysms, abnormal growth and inflammation, and diverticulitis.
What can I expect during a virtual colonoscopy?
A virtual colonoscopy at Advanced Body Scan usually takes less than 15 minutes. Compared to traditional colonoscopy, this noninvasive alternative is not only faster, but it involves minimal preparation and no anesthesia.
During your virtual colonoscopy, you lie in the CT scanner, which has an open design, so you don’t have to worry about claustrophobia. Throughout your scan, your doctor can stop the scanner to zoom in on any areas of concern, and capture additional information.
After your virtual colonoscopy, a board-certified radiologist reviews your scans and prepares a report outlining any areas of concerns and next steps, if necessary.
Call the office or schedule an appointment online with Advanced Body Scan today. 833-411-7226.