More Evidence That Colonoscopy Saves Lives

Several studies have shown that colon cancers diagnosed through routine screening are less likely to cause death. A new study finds that this is true even for cancers diagnosed at the same stage. The study included almost 1,100 people. Cancers found by a routine screening test called a colonoscopy were usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than those found because of symptoms. Those found because of symptoms were 2 to 3 times as likely to spread as those found through screening. And cancers diagnosed at the same stage were more likely to be deadly if they were found because of symptoms. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it June 19.