The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Effect of flexible sigmoidoscopy-based screening on incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Plos MED 2012; 9: e1001352.

Published: 9th May 2013

Authors: Elmunzer BJ, Hayward RA, Schoenfeld PS, Saini SD, Deshpande A, Waljee AK et al.

Conclusion

Five randomized trials including 416159 people were analysed. Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 per cent: risk reduction 0.82, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.73 to 0.91; number needed to screen to prevent one cancer = 361.

Pubmed Link