A colonoscopy is an examination in which the doctor passes a thin, flexible scope with a camera to see the whole lining of the colon. Its value is that it can both find a problem and treat it in the same session: small polyps can often be removed during the examination.
When is it recommended?
- Blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum.
- A lasting change in bowel habit, such as new constipation or diarrhoea that goes on for weeks.
- Anaemia or low iron without a clear cause.
- Repeated abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss.
- Early detection in people who have reached the recommended age, or who have a family history of colon cancer or polyps.
Your doctor decides when to start and how often to repeat it according to age, family history and risk factors.
Why does early detection matter?
Most colon cancers grow slowly from small polyps. Removing a polyp before it changes lowers the risk of cancer, which makes colonoscopy both a preventive and a treatment test.
How do I prepare?
Good bowel cleansing is the most important factor in a successful examination. You will be given clear instructions before your appointment. Tell the team about your medicines, especially blood thinners and diabetes medicines, and do not stop any medicine on your own.
What happens during the procedure?
The examination is usually done under suitable sedation, takes a relatively short time, and in most cases you go home the same day. If polyps are found they are removed or sampled and sent for examination under the microscope.
When should you see a doctor quickly?
Repeated blood in the stool, severe abdominal pain, bloating with vomiting, or dizziness and paleness from anaemia are all reasons to see a doctor without delay.
The information on this website is for health education and does not replace a medical examination or direct consultation.
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