News and Events

Colonoscopy Bowel Preps

 CTV and other news agencies reported last week (Jan 21) on a class-action law suit filed against the manufacturers of Feet Phospho-soda. Fleet Phospho-soda has been used as a laxative to prepare the colon for colonoscopy. Originally, two 45 ml doses of Fleet Phospho-soda were used within a 24 hour time period. Health Canada issued a safety information bulletin regarding Fleet Phospho-soda in 2002 recommending that no more than a single 45 ml dose be used within 24 hours. Most physicians performing colonoscopy in the Calgary Health Region began using a bowel preparation regimen that used only a single dose of Fleet Phospho-soda or switched to an entirely different type of laxative. 

Because of concerns about the safety of the double-dose Fleet regimen and the the lower quality of the single dose Fleet regimen, the Colon Cancer Screening Centre has never used a bowel preparation regimen that included Fleet Phospho-soda. 

We currently use Pico-Salax in combination with Dulcolax tablets to prepare the colon for colonoscopy in most people. We use Colyte in people who may be at increased risk of side effects (dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or kidney problems).

Colonoscopy bowel preps usually are based on overloading the bowel with fluid to flush the colon clean. Colyte is called a large volume laxative. A typical dose of Colyte is 4 liters taken over a four hour time period. Because Colyte contains a molecule (PEG) that cannot be absorbed by the intestine, the 4 liters remain in the intestine. However, it is difficult for many people to tolerate and results in a poorly prepared bowel if only partially consumed.

Pico-Salax is a small volume laxative. It acts as an osmotic agent that holds other liquids that are drunk within the intestines. If an individual taking Pico-Salax (or any small volume osmotic laxative) does not drink enough clear fluids then fluid is drawn out of the blood vessels into the intestine. This can result in dehydration, electrolyte disturbances and rarely kidney troubles. This is one reason why consuming an adequate amount of clear fluids is so important when preparing the bowel for colonoscopy.

How Much Does Colonoscopy Reduce Colon Cancer Mortality?

A study by University of Toronto researchers concluded that while screening colonoscopy is associated with fewer deaths from colon cancer, this is primarily due to a reduction in deaths from cancer developing in the left side of the colon. The study highlights the importance of high quality colonoscopy in maximizing the benefit of screening colonoscopy. Read CCSC's commentary on the article to learn how the CCSC strives to provide colonoscopy of the highest quality to maximize the benefit of screening.

Research article summary

CCSC Commentary on the article

 Link to full article

Link to accompanying editorial

How Cost-Effective is Virtual Colonoscopy as a Screening Test for Colon Cancer?

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health (CADTH) released a report on virtual colonoscopy (CT Colonography) on December 18, 2008. The authors of the report included faculty members of the University of Calgary's Department of Medicine. The report concluded that virtual colonoscopy is comparable to colonoscopy in its ability to detect cancer and large polyps, but that screening by virtual colonoscopy cost more money and produced lower health gains than colonoscopy.

Link to Report on CADTH website

Alberta Health & Wellness Announces New Fee Codes for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Effective December 1st, 2008, Alberta became the first province to incorporate a fee code for screening colonoscopy of average risk individuals in the schedule of medical of benefits provided through provincial insurance. Although physicians had been reimbursed for screening colonoscopies by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan for several years, the new screening codes will allow for better tracking of colorectal cancer screening in the province and will aid in the development of the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.

Specific rules around who is eligible and the frequency of screening associated with the colonoscopy screening fee codes will help ensure that the province's colonoscopy resources are used most efficiently.

To match the age limitations of the new fee codes, the Colon Cancer Screening Centre has changed the upper limit for undergoing colonoscopy at the Centre from age 75 to age 74 years.

Calgary and CHR open largest colon cancer screening facility in Canada January 22, 2008: The largest colon cancer screening facility in Canada opened its doors today in Calgary.    More... 

Career Opportunities

The Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary has opened a new and innovative Centre for Colon Cancer Screening. This is the first facility in North America to be dedicated strictly to screening, research and education in the area of colon cancer screening. The Centre will offer the best in technology and facilities. The Faculty of Medicine is looking for full-time and part-time healthcare professionals.

For a complete listing of available Colon Cancer Screening Centre positions, please visit our main Careers page.

Personal Stories

Listen to your body
In 1997 Danny Foster was a muscular 34-year-old former athlete who had played junior football and powered his way past tough defensive lines. But getting through to his doctor wasn't so easy.  Suffering from painful cramps, constipation and blood in his stool, he sought medical help. However, doctors just advised the big former fullback to increase his dietary fibre or decrease his stress. "I couldn't get anyone to take me seriously," Foster recalls. "They all just saw a fit, athletic guy too young to be truly sick. But I felt like I was dying, I was in so much pain."  More...

To read more personal stories, visit the Alberta Cancer  Board website by clicking here.

Forzani offers multi-million-dollar support to Colon Cancer Screening Centre
March 28, 2007: The Forzani Group Foundation has announced a $2.7 million gift to the Colon Cancer Screening Centre in Calgary. More...