Study: Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening Increases Colorectal Cancer Detection

Repeated flexible sigmoidoscopy screening increased the detection of colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma in women by one-fourth and in men by one-third, according findings published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Using the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian cancer screening trial, researchers analyzed data on 77,447 participants aged 55-74 who had undergone FSG at the start of the study and then followed up with screenings at 3 years and 5 years. Participants were enrolled in the study from 1993-2001.

Of the total study participants, 67,073 had at least one FSG and 39,442 had two FSGs. Researchers found the second FSG increased the number of detected cancers or advanced adenoma by 26 percent in women and by 34 percent in men. Colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas were found in 3.8 percent of participants after the first screening and in 4.5 percent of participants after both screenings, which amounts to an overall increase in yield of 32 percent.

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