Image source: Gizmag.com
That answer is complicated, but one of the reasons is very easy: The procedure of screening for it is, shall we say, unpleasant. The patient has to be put under general anesthetic, and a long camera snaked through their intestine to take pictures and check for lesions or polyps, both of which could indicate a potential problem.
Nothing about that sounds fun.
But it needs to be done when someone starts getting in to middle age, even earlier if there's a family history. It's understandable people don't want to go through that process even if they are asleep through it; if only there was a way to make it less...snakey.
Sadly, there's not. However there may be hope on the horizon. A new camera-pill that can be swallowed and will take pictures as it works its way through the digestive tract has been given FDA approval, and has been given he not-so-great name of PillCam Colon. In the event of a test being inconclusive, incomplete, or not possible because of other complications, the pill cam can be swallowed and pictures taken that way.
It's pretty remarkable - it can take multiple images per second and contains LED lights that provide illumination because it's dark in there, and relays the images taken to a receiver on the patient's body. Also, these have been around in some form for at least 15 years, but this is th first time for FDA approval.
This wouldn't be a first line of defense, however, because the images are not of the same quality of a proper colonoscopy, it doesn't allow for real-time evaluation and interpretation, and it only takes pictures, no samples for biopsy. Still, we all know how fast camera-phones improve, so I suspect this might be a picture (get it?) of the future of this procedure. If it reduces the death rate, increases the early-diagnosis rate, and saves lives, then I hope to see its continued development and advancement.
This is great news like u said it can help save many life and stop the source while it is in its beginning stages. Another thing that could help would be a pill that has nano technology that can set out sort of drones to help repair the human body. For example it can battle cancer cells and other various diseases that are very harmful. This is the first step to a huge medical breakthrough. Hopefully everything goes well in the development of this product.
ReplyDeleteWOW, technology is amazing. The moment I thought that it can't get any better, then it's always surprising that they come out with an even better development. Knowing how advance our society is right now, it wouldn't be a surprise that they can only develop this pill and improve it. If it save lives then I believe they would keep working on it.
ReplyDeleteThis is just absolutely amazing! I think it is great on how far technology has come and just to think it's just the tip of the iceberg. This is wonderful news and I could only imagine how this technology is going to save live. I wonder whats next?
ReplyDeleteWow, this is an amazing time we live in. This type of technology is eye opening. I think our advancement in developing new ways to view the human body is quite fascinating. I recently watch this you tube clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6nSmSTKHGc) based on tissue engineering. Replacing organs by making a model of your organ using your own DNA. Yes some might say it is cloning your organs, either way the technology just like the pill cam, is all beneficial for helping us find better ways of fixing the problems in a technically advanced way.
ReplyDeleteAll new technological advancements that can possibly save lives I am all for. Cancer is in itself a very scary disease, but early diagnosis and treatment can help the patient in the long run. As you stated the testing for colon cancer is extremely unpleasant, so any new methods to make it easier are great. There are many people who would avoid testing all together just due to the discomfort of the procedure. I am sure that the technology will continue to improve therefore improving the quality of pictures and the more widespread use of the "pill cam".
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree that this is remarkable and it will only continue to advance to become even better. Cancer is such a horrible disease and it can spread very quickly. This will be able to provide another perspective to doctors. It may not give them real time but it might allow them to see something they might miss in a standard test form. However, I would be concerned that this would turn out to be so great and so unaffordable to the average person. We already know how insurance companies now like to deny coverage or require more out of pocket costs. The good things never come easy.
ReplyDeleteCancer is a horrible disease. Sometimes it is curable, such as the skin cancer I had, and other times it ravages the body quickly. I have gone through the experience of a colonoscopy. This new device is another great new tool to add to the arsenal. The pill would be the first step in the diagnostic process. If something were to be found, you would still have to have the colonoscopy to remove the polyp or infected tissue for lab testing. Once the pill cam(era) is further developed, the need for colonoscopies should decrease thereby saving money in the long run.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is just amazing! Every day scientists come up with new ways to push limits and make the impossible seem possible. Imagine what will be available to us in ten years if they keep perfecting our current technology. Especially if it is health related, anything that can help us figure things out with our body is welcome. I agree with some of the previous comments, such innovative technology will be expensive and many insurance companies will not cover it, it will take a few years before this method becomes affordable. I understand that the existing procedure is unpleasant but many things in life are like wisdom teeth surgery, a mammogram, or the simple fact of having to tell your doctor what is going on with you can be unpleasant. Many won't go get checked out just because of the pain during or after the procedure but if the pill doesn't capture something correctly the patient will still have to go through the process. There will be a lot of patients willing to pay the extra cost just to not feel the pain and I think it is great, because at least for now they will have options to consider cheaper vs expensive and painful vs unpainful.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is great news, and if it can save lives, then even better. It's crazy to see how technology has changed throughout the last decade and to see something like this come out of all the research of scientists, it is great. This pill cam can potentially save thousands of lives and detect certain things before it is to late. The question that I have is how expense will this procedure be, because it can't be that cheap to make the tiny camera. Will insurances be willing to cover the expense of this procedure or will it only cover the previous one, and more painful.
ReplyDeleteWith technology in cameras, like you said, changing so drastically in only a few short years, this pill cam should be no different. They are probably already working on the next one with a better quality image and one that is smaller to swallow. Technology changes almost everyday and we will just have to wait and see what we will come up with next.
- Shane Booth
That sounds great, definitely to save lives, as well as making the process of a diagnosis easier for people. I feel with this concept more people will stop dragging their heals to get tests done in order to stay healthy. My question is, why did it take so long for this to show itself? With all the medical breakthroughs and research, why is it taking so long for improvements. Hopefully there will be more achievements like this.
ReplyDeleteDespite my caution with any new procedure or medicine the FDA approves, this is truly amazing, and I am hopeful that this is just the beginning of this type of medicine. I will be grateful when the technology becomes advanced enough and affordable enough to be the first line in colon cancer screening. As a girl who has had three knee surgeries in the past four years, I can tell you from experience that any sort of procedure where fasting and anesthesia is involved is no picnic. I have heard that the average person without a family history of colon cancer should have their first colonoscopy anywhere from the ages of 40 through 50. However, I know several people well beyond this age range that have not got the procedure done due to its uncomfortable nature.
ReplyDeleteShannon Vozar
What a great invention! I am all for constant evolution in the medical field. If this helps us to be more preventative and save more lives then it is a step in the right direction. I would like to see some of the trial runs to see the quality of the photos. The PillCam will eliminate the discomfort of a standard Colonoscopy; which will make many people happy. I believe with the consent improvements in technology the PillCam will be an asset to the medical field.
ReplyDeleteI think that this idea is amazing! I also think that they will find many other uses for this camera pill in the near future. Maybe one day it will become a true replacement for the traditional colonoscopy. I believe this is the way of the future and it can and will help many people. I am happy to hear that the FDA has approved it. Great article!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how technology has grown especially in the field of medicine. This is a great step toward preventative care and aid a doctor and establishing the correct diagnosis and treatment plans. Good thing the FDA has approved this testing so it will become more of a practice throughout medicine. I was unaware that colon cancer is the third leading cause of death, I think testing will continue to grow in this field as well as treatment plans.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how far along technology has come along. The fact that you can swallow a pill and it is actually a mini camera that takes pictures of your insides is unreal. Having that pill camera show doctors if there is something wrong that can be potentially fixed, or even give you a heads up that you might not of been aware of. The best part about it, is if it can actually help some people with any kind of disease they might have and also give us more ways of seeing whats actually going on in your body without it being so painful. If all a patient has to do is swallow a pill rather than putting a large tube down their throat more patients will be forthcoming with making sure they're perfect and healthy in areas we can't detect. Hopefully since this is now FDA approved we can find more ways to use it.
ReplyDelete-Kristen Lalli
If this pill cam can be used as a preventative and proactive measure without causing the discomfort of the standard procedure then I say let it run! It is amazing how far medicine has come, that there can be early detection of fatal diseases. If you can take proactive measures and seek early treatment or make a lifestyle change then think of the health benefits you could have in the future. The benefits aren't only cost effective but life effective essentially since early detection of any disease could save your life. I definitely hope to see this product take off!
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