Center Valley, Pa — Olympus, a world leader in imaging technology, is demonstrating its full line of imaging systems designed to support the vital work of pathologists at this week’s United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) annual meeting in San Antonio, Tex, through March 4. In addition to showing its microscopes and two new virtual slide systems at the meeting, the company also is focusing on its commitment to working with researchers, doctors, surgeons and the public to help eradicate colorectal cancer (CRC).

At the conference, the Olympus "Working Smarter Together" theme illustrates how the company is helping support research, diagnosis, treatment and awareness the second leading cancer killer in the United States, and the company is showcasing the types of equipment, innovation and commitment it offers to help fight CRC and other diseases, including a complete surgical suite, virtual slide scanning systems for research and education, pathology and research microscopes, as well as a Find It First kiosk, where members of the public (including pathologists) can commit to CRC screening or to encouraging others to be screened.

Among the systems on display in the Olympus booth are advanced tools that can be used for a wide variety of specialties within pathology and histology research and education, such as the new VS800 and VS110-Fluorescence virtual slide systems. Within the booth’s operating/procedure room area, Olympus is demonstrating its integrated, ergonomic ENDOALPHA Systems Integration Solution —  a new, advanced medical and surgical suite designed to help improve efficiency and optimize workflows. In addition, Olympus is showing its new line of BX3 microscopes (pictured at right) for pathologists and researchers, along with snares, endotherapy systems, audio recorders and cameras.

USCAP attendees are encouraged to use the Find It First kiosk in the booth to sign up for more information about CRC, one of the most preventable and beatable cancers if detected and treated early. Booth visitors also can sign a commitment to being screened or encouraging others age 50 or older to do so as part of the Find It First campaign, an effort Olympus is undertaking to help improve the CRC screening rate. Olympus is donating one dollar for each of the first 50,000 people who take the screening pledge to leading CRC advocacy and awareness organizations, including the Colorectal Cancer Coalition and the Colon Cancer Alliance.

"Fifty thousand lives were lost in the US last year due to colon cancer. Screening could help save many of those lives," said Osamu Joji, vice president and general manager of the Scientific Equipment Group at Olympus America Inc. "Olympus is working to support physicians and educate the general public about this treatable and preventable disease."

For more information about Olympus products for pathology, gastroenterology and the surgical suite, visit www.olympusamerica.com. To learn more about colorectal cancer or make an online commitment to be screened, visit www.finditfirst.com.

SOURCE: Olympus