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Colonoscopy

What is a Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables your Doctor to examine the lining of the colon (large bowel) for abnormalities such as polyps, inflammation or early cancer more accurately than x-ray. The colonoscope is a flexible camera which is passed through the anus and allows the Doctor to visualise your bowel.

The Doctor may pass a forcep through the colonoscope to take small tissue samples (biopsies) for examination by the pathology laboratory. If polyps are found they may be removed, thereby avoiding an operation.

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Indications for Colonoscopy

Your Doctor may refer you for a colonoscopy to effectively investigate a number of symptoms including the following:

 

  • Rectal bleeding

  • Unexplained loss of weight

  • Abdominal Pain

  • Persistent constipation or diarrhoea

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease)

  • Screening for polyps and cancer of the colon or rectum
     

Colonoscopy is generally well tolerated and rarely causes pain. Prior to the procedure you will be given a light anaesthetic via injection. This will make you sleepy and comfortable for the duration of your procedure. The small video camera called a colonoscope, is then gently passed through the rectum and large bowel and sometimes into the last part of the small bowel. This produces images that are viewed on screen in high-definition by our specialists. The procedure usually takes approximately 15-30 minutes to complete.

Preparation and Procedure

To ensure the safe and effective practice of colonoscopy, specific preparation of your digestive system is required. For our Colonoscopy Preparation Instructions please click on the link below.

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Bowel cleansing is essential before your Colonoscopy. Instruction sheets are available at our centres. Preparation kits and instructions are available upon booking your procedure or after consultation with your Endoscopist.

 

Please read the instructions carefully and contact us if there are any questions

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You will be advised to go on to the “White Diet” in the 2 days leading up to the procedure

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