Healthcare Industry News: Bracco Imaging
News Release - August 5, 2016
Virtual Colonoscopy Receives Highest Grade in the New U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation for Colorectal Cancer Screening
MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., Aug. 5, 2016 -- (Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) -- Bracco Diagnostics Inc. (BDI), the U.S. subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A., a global leading company in the diagnostic imaging business, announced today that The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a new recommendation to improve the rate of colorectal cancer screening (CRC). Computed tomography colonography (CTC), also known as Virtual Colonoscopy (VC), received an "A" rating as an alternative screening tool to colonoscopy in detecting colon cancer. The USPSTF recommendation was published in the June 21 online edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Bracco, a leader in CTC imaging innovation, has been providing two products that are essential components of CTC screenings since 2002."Bracco is pleased that the USPSTF has recognized the importance of CTC as a colorectal cancer screening option," said Alberto Spinazzi, MD, BDI Senior Vice President, Global Medical and Regulatory Affairs. "Colorectal cancer, one of the deadliest cancers, has a 90 percent cure rate when detected early. Having CTC recognized as a valid screening tool for the population of adults aged 50-75 years will be a major step forward in accelerating coverage and getting more people screened, thereby increasing early detection and ultimately saving lives."
The USPSTF defines an "A" rating as a high certainty that the benefit is substantial. This may be a significant step in expanding Medicare coverage policies to cover CTC not only as a diagnostic test but also as a screening test.
"The highest 'A' rating by the USPSTF for colorectal cancer screening includes CTC as a valid direct visualization test," said Judy Yee, MD, FACR, Professor and Vice Chair of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF and Chief of Radiology, SF VA Medical Center. "This is essential for allowing more rapid widespread dissemination of this life-saving tool. Although colorectal cancer is preventable in the majority of individuals, only about 50 percent of people who require screening for colorectal cancer undergo testing. CTC offers a less invasive method to screen for colorectal cancer, and as the USPSTF agreed, the best test is one that patients will actually use."
Bracco provides integral products that provide comfort and clarity during CTC procedures: PROTOCO2L TOUCH®, the only system for automated insufflation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the U.S, and Tagitol™ V (Barium Sulfate Suspension 40% w/v, 30% w/w), a stool marker, or "fecal tagging" agent.
PROTOCO2L TOUCH Colon Insufflator is used during CT Colonography exams to obtain optimal colonic distension. The device utilizes automated insufflation of CO2, which is more rapidly absorbed than room air resulting in less post-procedural discomfort. It's intuitive and user friendly design streamlines insufflation while providing clinicians with real-time results.
Tagitol V Stool Tagging Agent is a low volume radiopaque agent used to improve differentiation of soft tissue intraluminal lesions and retained stool ("fecal tagging"). It provides convenience and simplicity for both clinicians and patients as it comes in three small low-volume 20mL unit doses, has a pleasant apple flavor which is easy to swallow, and can be easily stored.
Source: Bracco Diagnostics
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