Flexible sigmoidoscopy: it works
Half of the 154,900 people in the study had flexible sigmoidoscopy to examine the lower colon for precancerous growths, and then follow-up sigmoidoscopy every three to five years. The others underwent a mix of sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or no screening at all. This second group would be expected to develop more cancers, due to the overall lower level of screening. After 12 years of follow up, the overall incidence of colorectal cancer in the people who underwent sigmoidoscopy was 21% lower.
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