Colonoscopy is perhaps the most familiar name of all endoscopic procedures.
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the physician to view the entire length of the large intestine, and can often help to identify abnormal growths, inflamed tissue, ulcers, and bleeding. It involves inserting a colonoscope, a long, flexible, lighted tube that is inserted into the intestine through the rectum. The colonoscope allows the physician to see the lining of the colon, remove tissue for further examination and possibly treat some problems that are discovered.
The American Cancer Society recommends people at average risk for colorectal cancer should start colonoscopy screening tests at age 45. If you are at a higher risk due to family history, genetics, race or lifestyle factors, you should talk to your doctor about starting screening at an earlier age, and you may need more frequent screenings.
You can actually prevent cancer if pre-cancerous polyps are caught early enough. Most polyps are not dangerous. But over time, some types of polyps can turn into cancer. To be safe, doctors remove all polyps and test them.
Sometimes, polyps cannot be removed via colonoscope. In the past, removing large polyps required open surgery. Our surgeons can now remove almost all polyps with minimally invasive techniques.