Colonoscopy methods under scrutiny

It’s an important diagnostic tool in the battle against colon cancer — the colonoscopy. It’s a common procedure — more than a million performed in Canada each year. But it’s far from routine. And it appears our training methods are in for an overhaul.

This is how it advances. The screening process for colon cancer. 35 to 40% of people over the age of 50 begin with stool testing — a fecal occult blood test. But a colonoscopy is used for high risk patients or secondary screening.

Dr. Michael Gould is with Cancer Care Ontario: “The goal is to get everybody screened because colon cancer when diagnosed early is easily treated and curable. And if you find polyps you actually prevent colon cancer.”

The process sounds relatively simple. a tube with a light on the end allows a doctor to view all through the bowel.

Dr. David Armstrong is with Hamilton Health Sciences: “Looking on the way to make sure there are no lumps, bumps, polyps cancers or anything else.”

But the bowel is an unusual course to follow. it turns and curves. and the endoscopist isn’t just looking for trouble areas. they have to assess and take action.

Dr. Armstrong: “Being able to take biopsies or tissue samples if there’s evidence of inflammation. Being able to remove big polyps or polyps if they’re there because that reduces the subsequent risk of cancer.”

The colonoscopy isn’t a new procedure — and it’s done on a frequent basis. As many as 1.2-million every year in Canada. But experts are now addressing a startling reality.

Dr. Armstrong: “Not everybody is equally good at doing colonoscopy.”

So Canadian specialists are following the steps of their U.K. Counterparts. Developing new training programs as well as quality improvement programs. Because of it’s expertise in the field, McMaster is one of the first training centres in the province.

Dr. Armstrong: “We’re looking to teach teachers how to teach residents. We’re looking to teach teachers how to teach other people. And we’re looking to teach all endoscopists how they can make things better.

Today marks the hospital’s first training session under this new program. It continues Tuesday. The next session, scheduled for July will see physicians from all across the country.