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Researchers develop less uncomfortable colonoscopy

Category: Colon

Few medical procedures are considered as important as colon cancer testing. The disease is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. and has a relatively low survival rate. However, the testing procedure can be uncomfortable, which may prevent from some people from getting screened.

In order to address this situation, a team of researchers from Tufts University has developed a new colonoscopy tool that promises to make the procedure less painful.

The system allows physician to monitor the position of the entire scope while it is in the patient's colon. This allows doctors to prevent bunching and looping of the sections of the scope behind the camera, which is one of the main causes of discomfort during the procedure.

"Doctors will have a way to see in real-time how the scope is moving inside the patient's body," said Caroline Cao, who led development of the system. "If the scope begins to loop, they will see it instantaneously and then be able to make adjustments to straighten it out."

The system could improve colon cancer testing rates.