Possible Alternatives to To Ease Colonoscopy Preparations

When it comes to undergoing a colonoscopy, a screening test for colon cancer, many patients agree that the preparation is the worst part. To clear the colon and rectum for doctors to examine them for early signs of cancer, patients must guzzle a gargantuan amount of a salty, repulsive-tasting drink and laxative. While there are many different brands of this drink available, most of them have the same "ick" factor. Dr. Douglas Rex, a professor of medicine at Indiana University said that many patients avoid the procedure because the preparation process is so unpleasant. the Boston-based company ColonaryConcepts aims to answer many colonoscopy patients' prayers by developing bowel-clearing food bars and drinks that taste more like fruit smoothies and chocolate -- but more research is needed before these bars will be available to the public. "Colon cancer is very treatable when caught early, and the best way to catch it early or prevent it entirely is colonoscopy," he said. "We really have a public health problem on hand with people not wanting to do it because of the preparation."