Gastroenterology
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Increasing evidence shows that periodic screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy with appropriate referral of patients with adenomas to colonoscopy could substantially decrease colorectal cancer mortality rates. Estimates of the complete cost of such screening are needed. The aim of this study was to estimate the annual costs of periodic screening of Americans 50 years and older by flexible sigmoidoscopy with referral of subjects with adenomas to colonoscopy. ⋯ The cost of flexible sigmoidoscopy-based screening for colorectal cancer could vary as much as threefold depending on the protocol chosen.