E-Z-EM: Barium Enema Included in Medicare Coverage NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Frank H. Kerrigon Director Corporate Communications Tel.: 1-800-544-4624, ext. 325 BARIUM ENEMA X-RAY PROCEDURE INCLUDED IN NEW MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING IMAGING STUDY OF COLON CITED AS "A REASONABLE AND NECESSARY SCREENING TEST" FOR NUMBER TWO CANCER KILLER Westbury, New York; November 10, 1997 -- E-Z-EM, Inc., (AMEX EZM.A and EZM.B) today announced Federal Register publication of the decision by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to include barium enema x-ray examination as an acceptable Medicare- reimbursable procedure for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The decision, based on consultation with numerous medical and Federal government organizations, expands an earlier Congressional decision that included fecal occult blood tests, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy as approved screening tests. The new ruling, effective January 1, 1998, mandates Medicare payment for CRC screening, including the barium enema exam as an alternative to either flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Commenting on the announcement, E-Z-EM Chairman Howard S. Stern said, "We are delighted with the decision of the Secretary of HHS to include the barium enema as part of national Medicare coverage for colorectal cancer screening. Radiographic examination has long been known to be a safe, thorough and cost-effective means of diagnosing intestinal diseases and disorders, and its use as part of a screening protocol for CRC is to be applauded. HHS noted that guidelines 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 colorectum and it appears to have the ability to detect precursor adenomas as well as colorectal cancers,' " said Stern. "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. Screening will be able to detect polyps before they become cancerous, with the potential to save tens of thousands of lives annually." Colorectal cancer, which affects both men and women, is the United States' second leading cancer killer, after lung cancer. It causes more than 60,000 deaths annually, with over 160,000 new cases every year, according to the American Cancer Society. Figures from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics demonstrate that the death rate from digestive cancers increases more rapidly with age than respiratory, breast, or genital cancers. By age 65 it approaches that of respiratory cancer. After age 75 it becomes the number one killer by a wide margin. With the U.S. population aging, digestive cancer with CRC as its dominant form can be expected to increase in statistical importance, particularly as the baby boomers approach retirement age. X-ray procedures of the gastrointestinal tract requires the use of a contrast medium barium sulfate to coat the interior intestinal surface and allow it to be visualized radiographically. As noted in the Secretary's ruling, "... the barium enema screening examination appears to have a superior safety profile when compared to screening flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy examinations, and it does not require sedation as is the case with colonoscopy examinations." In addition, x-ray imaging permits visualization of the entire colon, approximately half of which is beyond effective reach of flexible sigmoidoscopy. Complete evaluation of the colon called the "Total Colon Exam" by the American Cancer Society is acknowledged by that organization for its value in early diagnosis and prevention of CRC. The double contrast barium enema has previously been recommended as a screening option for average and moderate risk patients by various medical and professional organizations, including the American Cancer Society. E-Z-EM, Inc., is the world's largest manufacturer of contrast agents for gastrointestinal radiology. For additional information on E-Z-EM, including a copy of our latest annual report, please contact Frank Kerrigon at 1-800-544-4624, ext. 325, or visit our corporate website at http://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 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997, as well as its Annual Report on Form 10-K , may affect the actual results achieved by the Company. Ends.