Cancer Screening -Flexible Sigmoidoscopy reduces Colorectal Cancer Deaths
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure to
detect colorectal cancers at an early stage. It is an easier procedure compared
to Colonoscopy, which is lengthier and visualizes entire colon. In sigmoidoscopy
only distant colon is evaluated, but chance of cancer is more in this location.
In a large study involving more than 154,000 participants in age group 55-74 yrs, two repeat sigmoidoscopies
at 3or 5 yrs compared to standard care reduced the incidence of Colorectal
cancer by 29% and mortality by 21%. Distal Colorectal incidence reduced by 29%
and mortality by 50%. This study results advocate stronger use of sigmoidoscopy
as a screening tool for Colorectal cancer.
Yearly Chest Xrays Do Not Protect From Lung Cancer Deaths
It is thought that annual xrays will protect from Lung
cancer deaths. But one important study showed evidence to the contrary. This
study involving 77,455 people randomly assigned to annual chest xrays for 4
years and 77,456 people assigned to usual care. There was no reduction in
mortality in screened group.
Aspirin Protects from
Cancer Deaths
Aspirin is the drug used for protection from strokes and
Heart attacks. But analysis of data from 31 trials have shown another advantage
of Aspirin use: reduction in cancer deaths. There was 15% reduction in Cancer
deaths by taking regular aspirin for a period as short as three years. The
reduction in mortality was even higher ( up to 37%) for people taking aspirin for longer periods(
5 yrs or more)
Source ASCO.ORG
Source ASCO.ORG
