Objective — To determine the acceptance rate of screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy in a sample of general practice patients aged 50 to 60, and the acceptability of the procedure among those undergoing the test. Setting — Recruitment took place in selected general practices in Melbourne, Australia. Flexible sigmoidoscopies were performed at the local public hospital. Patients and methods — 187 patients aged between SO and 60, and without bowel symptoms, were seen by one of 12 non-randomly selected general practitioners during the study period. At the conclusion of routine consultation general practitioners discussed colorectal screening with eligible patients and recommended that they attend a free screening clinic at the local hospital. The patients who attended the clinic underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy performed by experienced endoscopists. Clinic attenders completed a questionnaire which measured perceptions of the screening visit. Results — The attendance rate was 49%. All clinic attenders were satisfied with the care received at clinic. Sixty five per cent of people experienced either no discomfort or mild discomfort, while 15% of people experienced moderate or severe pain. A bloated feeling was common (80%), with around 36% of people experiencing moderate or extreme bloating. Most people said that they were not at all embarrassed (64%), though 9% reported moderate or extreme embarrassment. Seventeen people (19%) were found to have polyps. Conclusions — Although the procedure was acceptable to those who underwent the screening test, further research on effective recruitment strategies is required if a full scale flexible sigmoidoscopy screening programme is to be considered feasible.
How Ireland's Colorectal Screening Programme Could Save More Lives, Save Money and Stay Within Existing Colonoscopy Capacity Limits: Evidence from the Miscan Microsimulation Model
