Engebretson, MarkTim Church2023-10-192023-10-192012-06-08https://hdl.handle.net/11299/257598Runtime 1:30 minutesThis resource is provided for informational purposes only and may not reflect current scientific knowledge or medical recommendations.Welcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. The use of flexible sigmoidoscopy screening reduces deaths from colorectal cancer cases by more than 25 percent. That’s according to results from the first randomized clinical trial in the United States that looked at the effectiveness of sigmoidoscopy. Tim Church a University of Minnesota cancer prevention expert, said 155,000 people involved were in the study, including more than 29,000 people in Minnesota. <Tim Church: “There was a 21 percent reduction in the incidence of colorectal cancer in the screened group when we compared to the usual care group. And that’s a big reduction – more than 1 out of 5 cancers were prevented. And, then, a 26 percent reduction in the deaths from colorectal cancer. “> Church says the results provide patients with freedom of choice when it comes to screening options for colorectal cancer and should result in more people being screened. <Tim Church: “Now we know for certain that fecal occult blood tests work. We know now that flexible sigmoidoscopy works. And most physicians believe that colonoscopy is an effective way of screening. Each of the screening methods has its own strengths and weaknesses. And people have different preferences. So, the bottom line is: If you want to get screened for colorectal cancer, you have a wide variety of choices. You need to figure out what’s best for you, but you have no excuse not to be screened.”> For Public Health Moment, I’m Mark Engebretson.enAudio