The earlier a cancer is detected, the greater the chances for cancer survival. One of the problems in surviving colon cancer is that people are reluctant to undergo colonoscopies, and therefore, colon cancer is not always detected in its earliest stages before symptoms develop.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine and EXACT Sciences Corporation are publishing study findings that show a DNA stool test can accurately predict colorectal cancer 88 percent of the time, regardless of where in the colon the cancer is located.

"This study confirms that stool-based DNA technologies can achieve high sensitivities for detecting colorectal cancer," stated Steven Itzkowitz, M.D., principal investigator and Professor and Associate Director of Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "For those individuals who are unwilling or unable to undergo colonoscopy, stool DNA testing offers a valuable and patient-friendly screening option. These results also underscore that as new markers and technologies are developed and validated, they can readily be incorporated into existing stool DNA tests to improve cancer detection and, ultimately, patient outcomes."

According to statistics, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and more than half of the over 80 million people over the age of 50 have never been screened. I agree with the researchers who suggest that it is time to develop new non-invasive technologies for colorectal screening.

Virtual colonoscopies, using a three-dimensional computed tomography colonography, is a non-invasive procedure for colorectal cancer screening and as accurate as the traditional very invasive procedure, according to the conclusion of a study conducted by University of Wisconsin researchers.

"Virtual colonoscopy produces precise and detailed 3-D fly-through images of the entire colon's interior without having to insert a scope -- there is essentially no risk of bleeding or of perforating the colon," stated Dr. Perry J. Pickhardt.

Virtual colonoscopies take an estimated ten minutes to perform, as the patient passes through a scanning machine. The researchers suggest that this new way of testing might bring more reluctant patients -- who avoid the invasive and uncomfortable colonoscopies available now -- in to be screened. Oh, ya think? Virtual colonoscopy is the screening test I would choose. Who wouldn't? Of course, if polyps or cancers are found, they must be removed by optical colonoscopy.

I cannot imagine anyone who would forego a colonoscopy if they can be offered the virtual colonoscopy screening. I certainly hope this becomes a standard in every part of the country.

To learn more about virtual colonoscopies, visit Viatronix.

In observance of National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, EIF's NCCRA, is offering free laughing gas, an air-freshening product, if you contribute $20 dollars or more to help support the organization's colon cancer awareness and research programs.

According to philosophy, makers of laughing gas, they may create a bit of bathroom humor with the new laughing gas product, but the fundraising effort for colon cancer awareness, screening and research is definitely no laughing matter. In addition to the EIF's NCCRA free offer of laughing gas, philosophy is donating 100 percent of net profits of the sale of laughing gas to support EIF's NCCRA. "Give your bathroom the aroma of a great-smelling bakery, and every time you give a quick spray, remember you are also helping to help fight colon cancer."

In 2000, Katie Couric, Lilly Tartikoff and the Entertainment Industry Foundation established the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance. Since that time,  public awareness about colon cancer has led to a 20 percent increase in colonoscopies nationwide. University of Michigan researchers refer to this as the "Couric Effect."