---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A National Cancer Institute–funded survey…"
description: "\"“A National Cancer Institute–funded survey of more than one thousand physicians found that nearly all doctors (94.8 percent) recommended a colonoscopy...."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/587/michael-greger-3039_push-colonoscopies_a-national-cancer-institute-funded-surve_1000326.png"
---

#  A National Cancer Institute–funded survey of more than one…

![“A National Cancer Institute–funded survey of more than one thousand physicians found that nearly all doctors (94.8 percent) recommended a colonoscopy.96 Why do doctors push colonoscopies in the United States when most of the rest of the world appears to prefer noninvasive alternatives?97 It may be…” quote by Michael Greger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/587/michael-greger-3039_push-colonoscopies_a-national-cancer-institute-funded-surve_1000326.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/587/michael-greger-3039_push-colonoscopies_a-national-cancer-institute-funded-surve_1000326.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/587/michael-greger-3039_push-colonoscopies_a-national-cancer-institute-funded-surve_1000326.png)

> ““A National Cancer Institute–funded survey of more than one thousand physicians found that nearly all doctors (94.8 percent) recommended a colonoscopy.96 Why do doctors push colonoscopies in the United States when most of the rest of the world appears to prefer noninvasive alternatives?97 It may be because most doctors in the rest of the world don’t get paid by procedure.98 As one U.S. gastroenterologist put it, “Colonoscopy … is the goose that has laid the golden egg.”99””

[Michael Greger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-greger/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Doctors favor colonoscopy because it’s a high‑revenue procedure in the U.S., while other countries lack such financial incentives.

**In simple terms:** Doctors recommend colonoscopy due to profit motives, not medical superiority.

Key Takeaway

Consider cost‑driven motives in medical recommendations.

Themes

healthcare economics medical incentives screening practices

Mood

critical inquisitive

Type

analytical informative

When to use this quote

- U.S. healthcare policy
- patient decision‑making
- insurance coverage
- global health comparisons

Key Concepts

financial conflict of interest procedure reimbursement patient autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

- How do financial incentives shape medical guidelines?
- What alternatives exist that balance efficacy and cost?

A Different Perspective

Profit motives can bias clinical advice, potentially overlooking less invasive but effective options.

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[Colonoscopies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colonoscopies-2107312/) [Colonoscopy Goose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colonoscopy-goose-2107311/) [Gastroenterologist Colonoscopy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gastroenterologist-colonoscopy-2107310/) [Push Colonoscopies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/push-colonoscopies-2107308/) [Recommended Colonoscopy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recommended-colonoscopy-2107309/)

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