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Men Benefit More from Sigmoidoscopy than Women

Author: North Texas Cancer Center
by North Texas Cancer Center
Posted: Jun 22, 2018

Sigmoidoscopy is a cancer test alternative to colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy test checks about one-third of the colon while colonoscopy checks the whole colon. The difference is that one does not require to be sedated to undergo sigmoidoscopy. New research discovers that sigmoidoscopy associates with colon cancer cases and deaths from men who undergo the screen than in women who take the same test. There has been no effect of sigmoidoscopy screening on colon cancer incidences or mortality for women. According to research;

  • Sigmoidoscopy reduces the overall colon cancer incidences by 18 to 26 percent and related mortality by 22 to 31 percent over ten to seventeen years.
  • In a study where men and women aged 50-64 were put in two groups, half of them to undergo sigmoidoscopy and the other half not to. Those who underwent sigmoidoscopy had a lower risk of colon cancer by 34% and lower mortality rate by 37% than the ones who were in the non-screening group.
  • The women in the sigmoidoscopy group had very little reduction in their risk of colon cancer or mortality rates compared to those who were not screened.
  • The difference by gender concluded that colon cancer progresses differently in men and women. Colon cancer occurs in men at an earlier age than in women. It means that if men and women are screened at the same time through sigmoidoscopy, it would be too early to spot colon cancer risk in women. A better screening strategy for women is needed to identify colon cancer at its early stages.

The implication that sigmoidoscopy didn't benefit women as it did men if confirmed will mean that the screening should not be offered to women as it doesn't benefit them. The protective benefit of sigmoidoscopy to men lasts beyond five years, which is a good thing. It means that testing might need to be done less often.

About Author

North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas.
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Author: North Texas Cancer Center

North Texas Cancer Center

Member since: Dec 30, 2017
Published articles: 4

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