Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women. It is also one of the most preventable, because it almost always starts as a small, benign polyp that takes years to become cancerous. Find the polyp, remove it, and the cancer never happens. Yet colorectal screening has some of the lowest uptake rates of any cancer test, largely because people dread the traditional colonoscopy.
Virtual colonoscopy changes the equation. It uses a CT scanner instead of a scope, requires no sedation, and lets you walk out of the hospital and carry on with your day. At FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, the cost is a fraction of what the same scan runs in Singapore, Australia, or the UK.
Doctors recommend that men and women with an average risk of colon cancer start screening around age 45. But if any of the following apply to you, screening should start earlier:
The American Cancer Society recommends one of three screening schedules: flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, traditional colonoscopy every 10 years, or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years. This programme offers the third option.
Both methods require bowel preparation beforehand. The difference is what happens at the hospital.
Virtual colonoscopy (this programme): A CT scanner takes images of the colon from outside the body. A small tube is inserted into the rectum to gently inflate the colon with air or carbon dioxide for clearer images, but no scope enters the body. There is no sedation, no recovery time, and no need for someone to drive you home. The scan itself takes 20 to 30 minutes. The limitation: if a polyp is found, it cannot be removed during the scan. A follow-up optical colonoscopy would be needed.
Optical colonoscopy: A flexible camera is threaded through the rectum and into the colon under sedation. The advantage is that the Gastroenterologist can both see and remove polyps during the same procedure, and pre-anaesthesia safety tests are included. The downside is sedation, longer recovery, and the need for a companion to take you home afterwards.
| Virtual Colonoscopy (this programme) | Optical Colonoscopy | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | CT scanner from outside the body | Flexible camera inside the colon |
| Sedation | No sedation required | Yes, comfortable sedation throughout |
| Can remove polyps | No, follow-up optical colonoscopy needed | Yes, during the same session |
| Recovery | No recovery time, drive home immediately | 30 to 60 minutes, no driving for 24 hours |
| Repeat interval | Every 5 years (if clear) | Every 10 years (if clear) |
| Price at FV Hospital | From USD 266 | From USD 317 |
| Includes consultation | No, results at Imaging Department | Yes, Gastroenterologist before and after |
Bottom line: if you prefer no sedation and no scope as a first screening step, virtual colonoscopy is a valid non-invasive starting point, with the understanding that any polyp found will still require a follow-up procedure. If you would rather have a one-and-done approach where polyps can be found and removed in the same visit, and you are comfortable with sedation, optical colonoscopy is the more thorough choice.
Not sure which fits your situation? Contact Sondax and we will help you choose based on your risk profile and preferences.
The 3-day bowel preparation is the part most people dislike, but it is essential for accurate results regardless of whether you choose virtual or optical colonoscopy. It typically involves switching to a low-fibre diet, then to clear liquids, and taking a laxative solution to clear the colon. FV Hospital provides specific written instructions when you book.
If you are taking blood thinners, aspirin, or iron supplements, you will need to stop these 7 days before the procedure. Consult your prescribing doctor before making any changes to your medication.
You arrive at FV Hospital's Imaging Department. A small, flexible tube is inserted into the rectum to gently inflate the colon with air or carbon dioxide, improving image clarity. You lie on the CT scanner bed, first on your back, then on your stomach, while the machine captures cross-sectional images. The entire process takes about 20 to 30 minutes. There is no sedation, so you are fully awake and can leave immediately after. Your imaging results are provided in English. If anything abnormal is found, Sondax can arrange a gastroenterology consultation or optical colonoscopy at FV Hospital as a next step.
All prices are per person and subject to change without prior notice. Other exams and additional tests are not included in this programme. Results are provided at the Imaging Department. If results are clear, the American Cancer Society recommends repeating virtual colonoscopy every 5 years.
FV Hospital was established in Ho Chi Minh City in 2003 and is a member of Thomson Medical, one of Southeast Asia's leading healthcare groups. FV was the first hospital in southern Vietnam to earn the JCI Gold Seal in 2016, and has renewed its JCI accreditation four consecutive times with over 98 percent compliance across more than 1,200 international patient safety and quality criteria.
With 45+ specialties, 210+ Vietnamese and international doctors, and care for more than 6 million patients since 2003, FV blends French and Vietnamese medical expertise and provides English- and French-speaking staff for international patients.
