Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Advantages Takes 15-30 minutes in your doctor's office Cost $150-$300 Need to do only every 5 years Things to Consider Only looks at last third of colon Requires clear liquid diet, laxatives, and/or enemas for 1-2 days before test May need a colonoscopy if something is found Rare risk of damage to colon Mild to moderate pain, no anesthesia used

During a sigmoidoscopy, a doctor may insert a small biopsy forceps through the tube to remove a small amount of tissue for examination. Patients might feel some discomfort during the procedure but this is temporary and goes away as soon as the procedure is over.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy once every 5 years is often performed in combination with an annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT). The procedure may also be combined with a double contrast barium enema (DCBE) once every 5 years. These combinations of tests—yearly FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or DCBE and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years—are likely to prevent more cases of cancer than any of these screening tests alone.

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Fecal Occult Blood Test
Double Contrast Barium Enema
Colonscopy