It is important to identify and remove polyps at an early stage before they can become cancerous. Rectal and colon cancers bleed and require immediate diagnosis and treatment. Finally, various forms of colitis and inflammation can cause bleeding. There are many causes of diarrhea and the exam is of great help in tracking down the specific cause. Discomfort in the lower abdomen can be caused by tumors.
Diverticulosis can occur in the lower bowel.
With this condition, small pockets or sacks project from the bowel. A barium enema x-ray exam may show abnormalities that need to be confirmed or treated by sigmoidoscopy. It is highly curable if it is found early. This cancer usually begins in the colon as a polyp that remains benign for many years. Therefore, it is generally advisable to have a sigmoidoscopy after age 40 or 50.