One-Time Flexible Sigmoidoscopy at Age 60 Yields Long-Term Benefits

In the UK Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening Trial (UKFSST), 170,000 patients (age range, 55–64) were randomized to once-only flexible sigmoidoscopy or no colorectal cancer (CRC) screening; 71% of those assigned to sigmoidoscopy actually underwent screening. After 11 years of follow-up, participants who underwent sigmoidoscopy had significant relative reductions in distal and total CRC (hazard ratios, 0.50 and 0.67, respectively) and CRC-related mortality (HR, 0.57) compared with participants randomized to no screening (NEJM JW Gen Med Jun 15 2010 and Lancet 2010; 375:1624). The UKFSST researchers now provide updated results after 17 years of follow-up.

Significant relative reductions persisted for distal and total CRC (HRs, 0.44 vs. 0.65) and…