A province in Italy is launching a new research project to screen residents for colon cancer using virtual colonoscopy and computer-aided detection (CAD) software as a primary reader.
The Proteus project will include 26,000 patients in Italy's Piedmont region as part of the province's cancer prevention efforts. Under the project, residents will undergo virtual colonoscopy scans at local clinics, with image data sent to centralized locations for CAD interpretation using the CAD-Colon software from Italian software developer im3D of Turin.
Results of the study will be compared to the existing method for colon cancer screening in Piedmont, which relies on fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) and sigmoidoscopy. The project is valued at 4.7 million euros ($7.5 million U.S.) over the next two years and is being sponsored by the Piedmont provincial government, im3D, and the University of Turin.
Related Reading
im3D launches DICOM viewer, November 21, 2007
Road to RSNA, CAD, im3D, November 1, 2007
iMed changes name to im3D, November 15, 2006
Road to RSNA, Advanced Visualization, iMed, November 17, 2005
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![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
