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Roald N. Grant, MD
New York

JAMA. 1968;204(5):405.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor:—

A statement approved by the Medical and Scientific Committee of the American Cancer Society, Jan 18, 1968, included the following remarks, which are somewhat more conservative, but none the less supportive of Dr. DeCosse's comments:—

Many cancers occur at various levels in the colon. Also, it is not possible to pass the sigmoidoscope comfortably and safely to its full 25-cm length in all patients. Therefore, sigmoidoscopy will detect approximately 50% of all colon and rectal tumors. To detect those lesions that occur at levels beyond the reach of the sigmoidoscope, appropriate radiologic examinations are necessary.

The optimum interval for performing repeated sigmoidoscopic examinations has not been finally determined. An annual examination is recommended for those over 40 years of age, but if the asymptomatic patient cannot be persuaded to have the examination every year, such an examination every two years is very worthwhile. In the case . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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