Doctors Answers (1)
David Myles Nolan
Answered on: 12/19/2011
A sigmoidoscopy examines the lower third of the colon, and is useful for monitoring certain disease states such as Ulcerative colitis. Its use in screening for colon cancer is limited. The main benefit of sigmoidoscopy vs. full colonoscopy is that the procedure is much shorter, and you do not need to have anesthesia so you can drive yourself home the same day.
