What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a useful procedure to help doctors diagnose and prevent problems in your lower intestine. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have colonoscopies every year.

During a colonoscopy, a flexible tube called a colonoscope is carefully fed through your rectum and into your colon. This special scope has a small light and video camera that allow the doctor to view the inside of your colon. This may sound unpleasant, but rest assured that your doctor will make every effort to make it easy on you.

Why do I have to have one?

Your doctor may recommend this test if you have any of these unexplained symptoms:

  • abdominal pain
  • chronic diarrhea
  • bloody bowel movements
  • iron-deficiency anemia
  • a change in bowel habits

A colonoscopy can help with a diagnosis by ruling out various gastrointestinal conditions or confirming others.

Studies show that many people aren't having their insides examined often enough. If your colon is checked over, it can actually reduce your risk of death from colorectal cancer.

A screening tool for colorectal cancer
A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard when it comes to screening for colorectal cancer. When your doctor takes a close look inside your colon, it's an opportunity to check out any abnormal-looking tissue, like tumours or polyps. Polyps are small growths that can sometimes develop into cancer.Although there's a higher risk of complications and they are more invasive than other forms of testing for colorectal cancer, colonoscopies are often recommended when abnormal DNA changes in your stool are detected (often through a test called the fecal immunochemical (FIT) test). When your doctor takes a close look inside your colon, it's an opportunity to check out any abnormal-looking tissue, like tumours or polyps. Polyps are small growths that can sometimes develop into cancer.

Did you know that colorectal cancer (cancer that grows in the colon or rectum) is the fourth most common cancer in Canada? It's also the second leading cause of death from cancer. Every year, about 23,000 Canadians are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

People at greater risk include those with a family history of colorectal cancer and those with polyps (small growths on the colon and rectum) or inflammatory bowel disease. Smoking, being obese, having a sedentary lifestyle, heavy use of alcohol, and eating a diet high in red meat, high in fat, or low in fibre are all factors that increase your risk.

This cancer usually affects people over the age of 50. If you're in a high-risk group for colorectal cancer, ask your doctor how often you should be screened. If you're in an average-risk group and have no troublesome symptoms, once you hit that half-century mark, ask your doctor if you should get tested for colorectal cancer. Your doctor will advise you on which types of tests you might need and whether you would benefit from a colonoscopy.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2023. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Preparing-for-a-Colonoscopy