Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death due to cancer for men and women combined in USA, with an American dying from colorectal cancer every 10 minutes. More lives are lost each year to colorectal cancer than to breast cancer and AIDS combined. Yet, with adequate screening and surveillance programs, colorectal cancer can be defeated, resulting in a 5-year survival rate of almost 90%. Routine screening is recommended for people over the age of 50 years–old. The most recommended modality that is considered the gold standard for colon cancer screening is colonoscopy. Unfortunately, as of 2010, 1 in 3 adults between the ages of 50 and 75 are not up-to-date with recommended colorectal cancer screening. Discomfort associated with bowel preparation required before colonoscopy and risks of complications due to procedural sedation – often required by the patient to avoid pain during colonoscopy, are the main reasons for the low compliance with screening guidelines. At the STORM lab we are developing a novel robotic platform for colorectal cancer screening that will not require a bowel preparation or the use of procedural sedation. If we are successful in creating a widely accepted alternative to traditional colonoscopy, this could have a transformative impact on medicine, encouraging most individuals to have recommended screening procedures, and thus save lives.

MedGadget Preview

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt NAC Preview

DOWNLOAD FREE APP