A Better Colon Cancer Screen - and I try not to be cynical

I am NOT cynical about the alternative cancer screen - only about its near absence in any of the literature we see in the USA about preventing colon cancer. A study that was printed in the journal Lancet this past week, involves the use of a flexible sigmoidoscope, in screening for polyps which often precede colon cancer.

In the UK, the standard colon cancer screen is a fecal blood test every other year - at home -this is for persons between the ages of 60 and 74. I recall writing about the use of the blood test in the USA several years ago and that it IS effective in reducing incidence of colon cancer.

In the research study, which I have read, nearly 200,000 people were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. Years later, the groups were compared for colon cancer outcomes. The intervention group (when complying) had the sigmoidoscopy and the control group did not. There was a significant difference in the number of persons who got cancer and who died from cancer between these two groups, but NOT between men and women. During the screening, small polyps could be removed, if larger ones were discovered, a colonoscopy was ordered. The study conclusion is this:

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a safe and practical test and, when offered only once between ages 55 and 64 years, confers a substantial and longlasting benefit.

The test or screening used in this study is much less invasive and expensive that the more common colonoscopy used in the USA after the age of 50. It is certainly safer than the CT scan - which exposes the person to radiation. There are additional studies on the effectiveness of this test, both published and on going.

In a news story about the research, it was noted that the American Cancer Society does recommend several different options for colon cancer screening, including the blood fecal test and this flexible sigmoidoscopy - but to tell you the truth, I have never heard of it and I READ ALOT.

I will tell you also that in the news story I read, it was stated that the US hardly ever uses this test in deference to the colonoscopy which the reporter noted lasted 20 minutes and was conducted under sedation. The reporter went on to say that there was NO RESEARCH to prove that this procedure was best for screening. In other words, the procedure removes polyps best, but maybe a lot of people are going through it that do NOT need to have polyps removed.

Also, the researchers for the study I am addressing today stated that this test only needs to be completed once and that if polyps have not formed by ones 60s they won't. I can assure you that this information is informing my decision about colon cancer screening and that, as no one in my family has had this disease, I will likely wait until age 60 and opt for this flexible sigmoidoscopy test.

I cannot link you to the complete study as I accessed it through a secure site, but here is the summary which tells you about the study and has the proper citation.