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Colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies are types of endoscopies that examine parts of your large intestine for cancer, polyps, lesions, blockages, bleeding and more.
A colonoscopy is a more involved procedure than a flexible sigmoidoscopy and might be more difficult for certain people. It requires special preparation that a flexible sigmoidoscopy usually doesn’t require. It also may require sedation or anesthesia.
What is the difference between screening with a blood DNA test and a colonoscopy? A blood DNA test is a screening test (not used for prevention) because it can find cancer cells after cancer has developed. A colonoscopy can be used for both screening and preventing colon cancer.
Both stool-based tests or visual exams are recommended screening tests for colorectal cancer. If you are 45 or older, talk to your doctor about which is right for you. There are several screening test options. The best known visual exams are colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.
Colon cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy is recommended every five years until age 75. If you have an annual stool test, called a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), the time between sigmoidoscopies may be longer.
The difference between a colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy is the area of examination. Colonoscopies look at the entire colon, while sigmoidoscopies look only at the sigmoid colon (lower portion). Colonoscopies have more preparation involved compared to sigmoidoscopies and include anesthesia.
Both sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are nonsurgical procedures that involve the use of a tube with a light and camera to examine parts of the large intestine. Learn the differences between these procedures, as well as their prep, results, and how they detect cancer.
One of the primary sigmoidoscopy vs colonoscopy differences is how far the doctor can see during the procedure. While sigmoidoscopy is used for investigating only the lower part of the colon, colonoscopy allows a doctor to view the colon's full length.
For regular colon cancer screenings, the best option is a colonoscopy given its ability to fully check the colon for cancerous and precancerous growths. For other issues related to problems with bowel movements and rectal pain, a sigmoidoscopy is generally more prudent.
A colonoscopy (koe-lun-OS-kuh-pee) is an exam used to look for changes — such as swollen, irritated tissues, polyps or cancer — in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum.