Editorial: Why You Should Care about Screening Flexible Sigmoidoscopy — NEJM Ovarian Cancer and Us OVARIAN CANCER and US Ovarian Cancer and Us

Blog Archives: Nov 2004 - present

#ovariancancers



Special items: Ovarian Cancer and Us blog best viewed in Firefox

Search This Blog

Monday, May 21, 2012

Editorial: Why You Should Care about Screening Flexible Sigmoidoscopy — NEJM



Blogger's Note: read the whole editorial for further information regarding colonoscopies, this blog also has trial data on colonoscopies/research/opinions

Why You Should Care about Screening Flexible Sigmoidoscopy — NEJM

"...The real question for U.S. (blogger's note: and others)  clinicians is whether we are prepared to refocus attention on a screening strategy that has been likened to performing mammography on one breast..."

...Where does this leave us with regard to screening flexible sigmoidoscopy? First, it should be acknowledged that flexible sigmoidoscopy reduces colorectal-cancer incidence and mortality for the portion of the colon that it is designed to examine. Next, high-quality evidence must show the superiority of colonoscopy over other screening tests before we dismiss the use of flexible sigmoidoscopy and fecal occult-blood testing, both of which have randomized, controlled trials supporting their benefit. Especially critical are data that confirm the ability of colonoscopy to reduce mortality from proximal cancers. Finally, patient preferences for screening tests should be identified and respected — in this case, the best test is the one that gets done.

0 comments :

Post a Comment

Your comments?

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.