Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The procedure can detect inflamed tissue, abnormal growths and ulcers.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the rectum and the lower (sigmoid) colon. A thin flexible tube about 60cm long is used. It is inserted gently into the anus and advanced slowly into the rectum and the lower colon.
It is similar to, but not the same as, a colonoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy only examines up to the sigmoid colon (the last third of the colon) while colonoscopy examines the whole large bowel.
This 20-minute procedure helps identify early signs of cancer and can help diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus and weight loss.