Low‐cost flexible sigmoidoscopy screening: A community demonstration and education project

Abstract The purpose of this project was to demonstrate that a low‐cost, community‐based screening and education approach (for both patients and physicians), as has been used with mammography, can be successful with flexible sigmoidoscopy. One hundred appointments over four days were made available via a targeted mailing to 12,000 health‐interested community members if they were asymptomatic, 50 years old or older, and had never before been screened by flexible sigmoidoscopy. The cost for the procedure was set at $50. Professional education was accomplished by having local physicians interested in gaining greater experience with flexible sigmoidoscopy provide the screenings under supervision. All 100 patient appointments and seven physician‐training slots were quickly filled. Ninety‐five procedures were performed by seven local physicians, averaging 10 minutes per procedure, with an average insertion depth of 31 cm and a 4.2% premalignant‐polyp detection rate. The patients were also given education and co...