What does a positive guaiac test indicate?
What is a sigmoidoscope? This is an instrument which enables the doctor to view about 12 inches of the intestinal tract through the rectum. This is the area where polyps and cancers are most usually found. Small polyps can be removed with this instrument in the doctor's office with general or local anesthetics. The sigmoidoscope also allows a small portion of tissue to be extracted from the wall of the colon for laboratory testing. The procedure using the sigmoidoscope is called a sigmoidoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy and should be included by your doctor as part of your annual physical exam if you are over 40 years of age, or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer . What causes tumors to form in the colon? The causes are unknown, but it is suspected that heredity as well as diet may play a role in some cancers of the colon. Conditions such as polyps, ulcerative colitis, and colitis also may be causes. Periodic checkups with a rectal examination make it possib...