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Tuesday, March 18, 2003 Page: 1D
This exam allows a doctor to see and closely inspect the inside of the
entire colon for signs of cancer or polyps – growths that eventually can
become cancerous.
The doctor uses a slender, flexible, hollow, lighted tube about the
thickness of a finger.
This “colonoscope” is gently eased inside the colon and has a tiny video
camera, which sends clear pictures to a TV monitor.
The exam itself usually takes 15-30 minutes. For the most part, patients
are put to sleep for the procedure so it does not hurt.
Your doctor decides how often you need this test, usually once in 5-10
years, depending on your personal risk for colon cancer.
It’s important for each person to know the guidelines for testing, whether
to start before age 50, and to discuss this with a doctor.
Sigmoidoscopy
A doctor closely inspects the lower parts of the colon, called the sigmoid
colon and the descending colon, for signs of cancer or polyps.
The doctor uses a slender, flexible, hollow, lighted tube about the
thickness of a finger. This “sigmoidoscope” is gently eased inside the colon
and has a tiny video camera, which sends pictures to a TV monitor.
The exam takes 15 or 20 minutes and usually requires no medicine to make
the patient drowsy.
It can be somewhat uncomfortable from the air pressure. Air is pumped into
the cleaned-out colon so it holds its normal size, and doctors can get the
best pictures. It may be slightly uncomfortable, but it should not hurt.
Source: American Cancer Society