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What if one of the most effective tools for preventing colon cancer is also one of the least utilized?

In this episode of Medical Imaging Matters, AHRA Executive Director Jason Newmark sits down with radiologist Dr. Mark Klein and gastroenterologist Dr. Randy Pellish to unpack the opportunities and challenges surrounding virtual colonoscopy. Despite being a safe, minimally invasive, and accurate screening tool, it remains largely underused across the healthcare system.

Drs. Klein and Pellish walk through what makes virtual colonoscopy a compelling option: no sedation, a quicker and easier experience for patients, and the ability to detect both cancers and precancerous polyps with remarkable precision. In some cases, it offers a more accessible and cost-effective pathway to screening, particularly for patients who might otherwise delay or avoid traditional colonoscopy.

So why hasn’t it taken off? The answer lies in a mix of outdated perceptions, limited awareness among providers and patients, and operational barriers that have slowed adoption. The conversation explores how standardization, education, and emerging technologies like AI could help close these gaps and offer broader access.

At a time when screening guidelines are shifting and younger, high-risk populations are entering the picture, the stakes are rising. Expanding the use of virtual colonoscopy could help reach millions of underserved patients — catching disease earlier and saving lives in the process.

For imaging leaders, clinicians, and policymakers, this episode offers a clear call to action: Rethink what’s possible in colon cancer screening, and consider how more accessible, patient-friendly tools can reshape care delivery.