Salem Radiologists at Salem Regional Medical Center

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3D Virtual CT Colonoscopy (Colon Cancer Screening)

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Salem Regional Medical Center is proud to be the first area hospital to offer 3-D Virtual CT Colonoscopy (VC) for colon cancer diagnosis and screening. Although colon cancer is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., some patients may choose to forego a traditional colonoscopy because of the discomfort of the vigorous colon preparation, the need for anesthesia, or their inability to take time off from work. The Virtual CT Colonoscopy provides a technologically advanced alternative to a traditional colonoscopy.

 

“Screening” Virtual CT Colonoscopy is for asymptomatic patients beginning at age 50 age 45** and continuing at 5 year intervals. Anthem, Medical Mutual, Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross, Unicare, and others now recognize the importance of Screening Virtual CT Colonoscopy and cover the examination on a plan-by-plan basis. Salem Regional Medical Center’s employee health plan covers this screening examination at 100%. Note, Medicare does not cover asymptomatic screening at this time. A self-pay option is available.

 

“Diagnostic” Virtual CT Colonoscopy is for patients unable to have an invasive optical colonoscopy due to anticoagulation, sedation risk, contraindication to instrumentation, or failed/incomplete colonoscopy. Medicare and nearly Medicare and nearly all insurance companies cover this examination.

** The American Cancer Society reviewed 25 years of data and found that with the success of colon cancer screening beginning at age 50, the rate of colon cancer in people over age 50 has been declining, however, the rate of colon cancer in otherwise healthy people younger than 50 increased by more than 50%. The cause for this increase in colon cancer is not known but may include obesity, a lack of exercise, and eating processed foods.

Although traditional colonoscopy has been an effective screening method for patients for many years, due to the perceived discomfort of the preparation, use of sedation, required time off work, and risks, some of these younger patients may forgo screening.

For more than 5 years, Salem Regional Medical Center has offered a state-of-the-art alternative called Virtual CT Colonoscopy and is the only hospital the in the Valley offering this service. Virtual CT Colonoscopy utilizes our advanced Dual-128 CT and 3D technologies to non-invasively look at the colon.”