Gastroenterologists Do Colonoscopy Better

Several studies have demonstrated a higher risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) after colonoscopies performed by general surgeons or primary care physicians versus gastroenterologists (JW Gastroenterol Mar 26 2010). Now, investigators have examined the effect of colonoscopy on mortality from CRC and whether it varied by colonoscopist specialty.

In this case-control study, researchers used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Medicare data to identify 9458 cases — patients who died from CRC and received a first diagnosis of CRC between the ages of 70 and 89 while enrolled in Medicare but not in managed care — and 27,641 controls who did not have CRC.

Colonoscopy was associated with a 60% risk reduction for CRC overall, with a slightl…