E-Z-EM: News Release Contact: Steve Carden Director Professional Relations Tel.: 1-800-544-4624, ext. 317 RECENT CAMPAIGNS AND LEGISLATION ON COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING VALIDATE EFFORTS BY CONTRAST MANUFACTURER E-Z-EM'S CONTRAST IMAGING PRODUCTS PERMIT SAFE, COST-EFFECTIVE "TOTAL COLON EXAMINATION" RECOMMENDED FOR PATIENTS BEGINNING AT AGE 50 Westbury, New York; September 16, 1998 Long-term efforts by E-Z-EM, Inc., (AMEX EZM.A and EZM.B) to promote safe, cost-effective screening for colorectal cancer have been validated by recent public-awareness campaigns and legislation aimed at preventing the disease. The Company is the world's largest developer and manufacturer of contrast media for gastrointestinal imaging studies. The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable convened by the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control has sponsored a White House series of public service messages to promote screening for the disease. Initiated last week, the message from First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was that regular screening examinations can greatly reduce the incidence of this disease. These White House public service announcements will urge Americans to make the time and effort to be screened for the nation's second-leading cancer killer, an "equal opportunity" disease affecting both men and women. Colorectal cancer kills more than 50,000 Americans annually and this year more than 130,000 new cases will be diagnosed. The disease can be prevented even cured if detected early by a regular program of screening beginning at age 50 for average risk patients. In January 1998, the Federal government took a first step in the fight against colorectal cancer when it began reimbursing for screening for the nation's 37 million Medicare recipients. For average risk Medicare patients, a colon x-ray examination (known as a "double contrast barium enema") or flexible sigmoidoscopy are eligible for payment every four years, as is an annual fecal occult blood test. While flexible sigmoidoscopy is regarded as an accurate and safe method of screening, the Mayo Clinic reports that more than half of all colorectal cancers occur in areas of the colon that are beyond the reach of the sigmoidoscope. The only Medicare-reimbursable procedure for average risk patients that can evaluate the entire colon is therefore the barium enema x-ray procedure. Commenting on the need for regular and complete colorectal cancer screening, E-Z-EM Chairman Howard S. Stern noted that, "Radiographic examination has long been known to be a safe, thorough and cost-effective means of diagnosing intestinal diseases and disorders. Gastrointestinal x-ray procedures require the use of a contrast medium barium sulfate to coat the interior intestinal surface and allow it to be visualized radiographically. Such imaging permits a "Total Colon Exam," acknowledged by the American Cancer Society for its value in early diagnosis and prevention of colorectal cancer. "Studies by the National Cancer Institute and the American Gastroenterological Association, 'have indicated that one of the major advantages of the barium enema examination is that it permits the imaging of the entire colon and it appears to have the ability to detect precursor adenomas as well as colorectal cancers,' " said Stern. "This was noted by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a ruling that mandated Medicare payment for colorectal cancer screening. By catching precancerous pathology early and studies have shown that it can take as long as 5 to 10 years for polyps to become invasive cancers there is a very long "window of opportunity" for detection and treatment. "Total Colon Exam" screening by barium enema for average-risk individuals will be able to detect polyps before they become cancerous, with the potential to save tens of thousands of lives annually." For additional information on colon cancer screening or financial information on E-Z-EM, Inc., please contact Frank Kerrigon at 1-800-544-4624, ext. 325, or visit our corporate website at www.ezem.com. The statements made in this press release contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations. In addition to the matters described in this release, future actions by the FDA, results of pending or future clinical trials, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 30, 1998, may affect the actual results achieved by the Company. # # # Ends.