Use of colonoscopy to screen asymptomatic adults for colorectal cancer

Article Abstract:

Colonoscopy may be effective for screening all patients over the age of 50 for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy involves inserting a long tube with an optical instrument at the end up the rectum so the colon, or large intestine, can be examined. In a study of 3,121 patients between the ages of 50 and 75 who had a colonoscopy, 37% had one or more polyps and 1% had colorectal cancer. Intestinal polyps are believed to be a precursor of colorectal cancer. Forty-eight patients had a polyp in a part of the colon that would not be visible during sigmoidoscopy.

Medical examination, Colonoscopy, Intestinal polyps, Colon (Anatomy), Colon

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One-time screening for colorectal cancer with combined fecal occult-blood testing and examination of the distal colon

Article Abstract:

A one-time fecal blood test and sigmoidoscopy may not detect colorectal cancer in some patients. In a study of 2,885 patients between 50 and 75 years old, this screening technique only identified 76% of the patients who had colorectal cancer. Sigmoidoscopy uses a flexible tube with a small camera at the end to examine the large intestine.

Evaluation, Testing, Medical screening, Health screening, Occult blood, Fecal occult blood test

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Colonoscopic screening of average-risk women for colorectal neoplasia

Article Abstract:

A study of colon-cancer screening in men demonstrated that 30% of advanced colonic neoplasias found on colonoscopy were missed by flexible sigmoidoscopy whereas a parallel study of women resulted in an even lower percent of advanced lesions found on colonoscopy. Hence this data suggests that, in women, flexible sigmoidoscopy is a much less effective for screening test for colon cancer than colonoscopy and is a preferred method for colorectal cancer in women.

United Kingdom, Women, Women's health

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