Study: Colonoscopy recommended over pill camera

July 16, 2009 European researchers say the pill camera is not as effective as colonoscopy at detecting precancerous growths and cancer.

The study found that traditional colonoscopy was better at finding small precancerous growths known as polyps as well as finding advanced tumors.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends traditional colonoscopy. That's when a doctor uses a 3-foot long flexible camera to examine the colon.

The research is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.