Why it's done

Virtual colonoscopy is used to screen for colon cancer in people who are at least 45 years old.

Your doctor may suggest virtual colonoscopy if you:

• Are at average risk of colon cancer
• Prefer not to have sedation or need to drive following the procedure
• Are reluctant to have colonoscopy
• Are at risk of colonoscopy complications, such as excess bleeding because your blood doesn't clot normally
• Have a bowel obstruction

You aren't a candidate for virtual colonoscopy if you have:

• A history of colon cancer or abnormal tissue clumps (polyps) in your colon
• A family history of colon cancer or colon polyps
• Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Acute diverticulitis

Studies have shown that virtual colonoscopy has detection rates similar to those of traditional colonoscopy for cancer and most polyps of biological importance.

Because virtual colonoscopy involves imaging the entire abdominal and pelvic area, problems unrelated to colon cancer — such as an abnormality in the kidneys, liver or pancreas that may or may not be important — could potentially be detected. This may lead to additional testing.