Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a lighted tube (a sigmoidoscope) is inserted into the rectum, and the lower colon (also known as the sigmoid) is examined. Since this type of screening only looks at the lower colon, polyps and other abnormalities in the rest of the colon may not be discovered. If any polyps are found in a sigmoidoscopy, you may have to schedule a follow-up colonoscopy to examine the rest of the colon.