Flexible sigmoidoscopy for screening in primary practice. A key to improved survival in colon cancer.

Numerous recommendations have been made in recent years regarding periodic screening for colon disease, specifically cancer. Early detection and treatment are essential for improved survival rates, and patient education is the key to success. Important factors in a screening test are reasonable cost and ease of performance. Testing for fecal occult blood fulfills these requisites but lacks specificity. Digital rectal examination should be done regularly but has limitations. Because flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy has a high acceptance rate, low complication rate, and high yield and is relatively easy to perform, this procedure should be in the diagnostic armamentarium of all primary care physicians. Results of 129 flexible sigmoidoscopies performed by primary care physicians at Scripps Clinic indicate the usefulness of this procedure as a screening test for colon cancer.