Screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy is feasible in general practice

Recent evidence suggests that screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy could lead to a significant reduction in mortality from colorectal cancer. Low uptake, risk of complications, and high rates of recall for diagnostic colonoscopy have been predicted obstacles. On p 182 Verne et al describe a study on screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy compared with a faecal occult blood test and both tests combined. Many of the perceived obstacles were shown to be surmountable, with an estimated achievable uptake rate of over 60%—higher than with a faecal occult blood test; detection of neoplasia was also greater. Nevertheless, the authors emphasise that a randomised controlled trial is needed.