A few weeks ago, some new research made a lot of noise.

A new study is raising some questions about colonoscopy screenings and how much they actually

reduce deaths from colon cancer.

In one of the largest studies ever, European researchers found colonoscopy screenings cut

cancer risk by 18 percent and made no difference in death rates.

For two decades, colonoscopy has been a right of passage for Americans over 50, though

the starting age has recently been lowered to 45.

Journalist Katie Kirk even televised hers after her husband died of colorectal cancer

to emphasize the importance of the procedure.

Physicians and public health experts have long urged people to get screened because the

best available evidence suggested not only could colonoscopy find cancer, it could

also prevent it.

Was everybody wrong?

Some doctors challenged the recent studies findings, insisting that above all else?

Colonoscopy saves lives.

Does it?

From the Freakonomics Radio Network, this is Freakonomics MD.

I'm Bob Ujena.

Today, I've got a cold, so please forgive my voice.

It'll sound a little different when I talk to you than when you hear me in conversation

with our guests.

First, Dr. Michael Brett-Hauer, the lead author of this new colonoscopy study, will tell

...