Diagnosing Colorectal Cancer: Using Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Colon cancer is a leading health concern from many middle aged adults. With nearly 10 percent of all cancer deaths associated with colorectal complications, individuals who suffer from complications involving the colon, rectum and gastrointestinal complications must seek diagnosis and treatment early.

As part of the diagnostic process for a potential colorectal cancer complication, your healthcare professional may order a procedure known as a sigmoidoscopy. As a procedure that can not prevent colorectal cancer, the sigmoidoscopy is important to early diagnosis as, when diagnosed early, colorectal cancer can be treated, thereby reducing the frequency of death or fatal outcomes.

If your physician is recommending a sigmoidoscopy, one aspect of this procedure that you will want to address is the type of sigmoidoscopy to be performed. For optimal diagnostic outcomes, the best sigmoidoscopy involves the use of the flexible sigmoidoscopy. Using a flexible scope, your physician can not only obtain the best view of the bowel lining and function, but the use of flexible scopes also works to minimize your discomfort during the procedure.

In addition to the type of scope your physician plans to use in sigmoidoscopy, you will also want to look at the potential adverse health complications that may arise. In those individuals who experience complications associated with peritonitis, acute diverticulitis or if you've recently undergone any type of bowel or colon surgery, the flexible sigmoidoscopy is not indicated in your diagnostic process.

Following your flexible sigmoidoscopy, the complications of the procedure are quite minimal. You may notice some abdominal cramping, bloating and some minor bleeding. In many cases, these complications are not of concern and resolve within 24 hours of the procedure.