I think I'm gonna get a colonoscopy, would a virtual one be good?

[gadsie]

Hello everyone,

I will introduce myself first,

I'm 22 years old, I have had mild hypochondria my entire life (I was surprised that my username was already taken, apparently I made an account in 2012 already), no one in my family ever had cancer, I never smoked, was never overweight etc.

BUT from ages 14-18 I followed a high fat/high red meat diet, I was into bodybuilding and thought it was healthy. I ate up to 600g of red meat plus a bunch of fat every day, essentially a carcinogenic diet.
The past week or so I have been having some bowel discomfort (gas, undigested food, false urges). I requested 2 FITs, but in studies the sensitivity ranges from 30-100%, so that won't put my mind at ease.

I'm extremely anxious about getting a colonoscopy, especially a regular one. Given that I'm 22, I think my chances of cancer are slim despite being very worried about it. This is the reason I think I want to ask for a virtual one, because I don't think it's likely they have to remove something. Is the diagnostic accuracy of this just as good as a regular one? I heard it can miss polyps smaller than 8mm, but a regular one can miss polyps behind a fold, so it kind of evens out in terms of false negatives.

[KimT]

We are not doctors. We are colon cancer patients or loved ones of patients.

You need to ask these questions to your doctor.

[menreeq]

CT colonography disadvantages are radiation and inability to biopsy or remove lesions, polyps, etc. It is usually performed in those who cannot tolerate colonoscopy.

Talking to your primary care doctor about your concerns could be helpful.