Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is a test which allows the doctor to look at the lining of the lower large bowel.
In order to do the test a sigmoidoscope is carefully passed through the anus into the lower large bowel. The sigmoidoscope is a long flexible tube, about the thickness of your index finger, with a bright light at the end. Looking down the tube, the doctor gets a clear view of the lining of the bowel and check whether disease is present.
Sometimes the doctor takes a biopsy (a sample of the bowel lining). A small piece of tissue is removed painlessly through the sigmoidoscope, using tiny forceps. This is then sent to the laboratory for further tests.