Billionaire ‘Shark Tank’ investor Mark Cuban promotes CT colonography to millions of followers
Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is lending radiologists a hand by promoting the lesser-known imaging test to screen for colon cancer.
The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” host recently tweeted about his experience receiving a virtual colonoscopy using computed tomography. He urged those afraid of traditional methods to consider CTC, calling it “fast and easy” with the option to drive oneself home afterwards.
“You still prep the same, but the process took 30 mins,” Cuban tweeted to his 8.5 million followers on Sept. 15. “It felt weird, but didn’t hurt and cost $600. No meds at all. Talk to your Dr of course but this approach was EASY.”
The message has since drawn more than 1,700 likes and attention from members of the specialty, including a “Thanks for sharing your experience with #CTColonography, Mark!” from the American College of Radiology Friday.
“PLEASE keep spreading the word about this test to get more people in for screening,” added Judy Yee, MD, professor and university chair with the Department of Radiology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York.
Cuban later clarified that not all insurers cover CTC and $600 “isn’t cheap.” But he urged others to consider the option if they’ve been hesitant to undergo screening.
“Don’t be afraid. Get the colonoscopy and maybe save your life from colon cancer and always talk to your doctor first!” he shared.
Radiologists have long tried to promote virtual colonoscopy as a safe, less invasive alternative to the traditional method, but faced barriers to greater uptake. One recent study found that a lack of Medicare coverage for CTC is dragging down use in the senior population, and likely hitting Black patients harder than others. Another analysis found that using CTC as a first-line tool for patients at average risk for colorectal cancer would save national healthcare dollars while improving access.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.