Experienced colonoscopist key to good test results

Experienced colonoscopist key to good test results

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Story Published: Dec 18, 2008 at 8:17 AM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 8:17 AM PDT

By Herb Weisbaum

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The news this week was alarming: a Canadian study finds colonoscopies might miss many cancers.

So what should we make of this? I put that question to ABC News Medical Editor Dr. Tim Johnson.

"I don't think we can rely on that study to tell us what the current state of success is with colonoscopy," Johnson said. "I think it it's considerably higher than what they're saying at 60 to 70 percent."

Johnson says most of the patients in this study had their procedure done by a primary care doctor or surgeon -- not someone trained to do colonoscopies.

"It's very important to pick an experienced colonoscopist, somebody who does them all the time and has what we call a good completion rate, meaning that they get to the end of the colon when they do their studies."

Dr. Johnson says it's also important for you, the patient to do your part to make sure you're ready for the exam by taking your cleaning medication as directed.

The bottom line: "Absolutely the gold standard," Johnson said. "I've had it done twice myself. When it's done by a competent colonoscopist with good cleaning, it's the best way to detect colon cancer early."

For More Information:

The Case for Keeping Colonoscopy

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