It can be performed at home or at your doctor's office. This method examines the inner lining of the rectum and the last two feet of the colon. A small, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope is used to identify polyps or signs of cancer. The test does not require anesthesia and lasts only a few minutes. A common test that allows the physician to evaluate the large intestine with an X-ray.
Liquid barium is put into the colon through a slender tube inserted into the rectum.
As air is introduced into the colon, X-rays are taken. A specialist examines these X-rays for polyps or other irregularities. If abnormalities are found, a colonoscopy would need to be performed. Colonoscopy Similar to the sigmoidoscopy, a gastroenterologist uses a long endoscope to view the entire colon. If a cancer or polyp is found, the gastroenterologist can painlessly take a sample to biopsy and completely remove abnormal growths.