Based on your past medical history, physical exam and current symptoms your doctor is recommending a procedure called flexible sigmoidoscopy, or flex sig.

Problems in the rectum or colon can be caused by disease or problems you were born with. With these conditions, it is common to have symptoms such as blood in the stool, abdominal cramping, diarrhea and changes in bowel habits.

A flex sig will allow your doctor to examine the lining of your rectum and the lower part of your colon or large intestine with a soft, bendable tube that acts like a video camera. Your doctor can then check for abnormal growths, inflammation and areas of bleeding among other things that may be causing your symptoms.

Furthermore, a flex sig can be performed, even if you have no symptoms, as part of a routine colon cancer screening or if you have a family history of colorectal cancer.

At this time, your doctor feels that a flexible sigmoidoscopy is appropriate for your particular situation.