Colorectal Cancer Screening — Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy screening helps prevent gastrointestinal and colorectal cancer by detecting precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) early, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
Don’t wait for symptoms to be checked. If you’re 45 or older, or at average risk of colon cancer, speak with your doctor and get screened.
We provide a colonoscopy service in our state-of-the-art Endoscopy Center, to investigate problems in the bowel and diagnose conditions affecting the colon.
OUR SERVICE
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is an examination of the lining of the large intestine (bowel) using a thin flexible, tube-like telescope, which is carefully passed through your rectum and into the colon (colonoscope). It is a useful diagnostic method for finding out what is causing certain symptoms like abdominal discomfort, or as a check-up for some bowel conditions. Also efficient in detecting and possibly treating polyps, tumors and unknown sources of bleeding.
The procedure
Preparing for your treatment
Your first step will be a consultation with a FirstMed primary care doctor to discuss:
• your current health
• regular medications
• family and medical history
• potential symptoms
Further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, may be required prior to your colonoscopy.
Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.
Aftercare
Following the procedure, you will spend about 30 minutes in our recovery room before going home. If you have had a biopsy or any polyps removed, the samples will sent to an external lab and return to your primary care doctor for review. If you have been sedated for the procedure you will need someone with you to escort you home.
On rare occasions, complications such as fever, bloating, slight rectal bleeding and abdominal pain may occur.
If you experience any of these symptoms please call us straight away.
Why might I need a colonoscopy?
Medical professionals recommend that patients over the age of 45 be screened for colorectal cancer every 10 years; earlier and more frequently with a family history of colorectal cancer. It is important to screen for colorectal cancer because pre-cancerous lesions, or polyps, can be removed if identified early — as opposed to other cancers where screening simply looks for early-stage development. A colonoscopy is the single best procedure for detecting colorectal cancer, as polyps can be identified and completely removed before developing into something more serious.
Using a colonoscopy, a doctor can identify diseases of the colon (ulcer, tumor, inflammation, diverticulum, and other abnormalities) based on complaints (stool disorder, abdominal pain, bleeding). When necessary, the doctor can perform histological sampling of the area considered abnormal (biopsy) or conduct certain therapeutic measures – sometimes as a substitute for surgery – with devices introduced through the working canal of the colonoscope (such as suppression of bleeding, foreign body removal, polyp removal, etc.).
A colonoscopy may also be used to diagnose conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, etc.
Your doctor may use a colonoscopy to investigate new bowel symptoms including:
- Bleeding
- Unexplained anemia
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Abnormal stools
- Suspected polyps
They gave me all the necessary information and instructions – answered all my questions and provided constant reassurance that I would survive the procedure... and I did!
The day before I was sick with nerves which I can assure you was totally unnecessary as I found out the next day…
So now for the truth about Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy:
• It is completely painless (you are sleeping)
• You remember nothing of it (you are sleeping)
• The whole experience is straightforward, easy and comfortable
• You could potentially save your life and….
• You will have complete peace of mind afterwards
If I can do it — so can you — do not be afraid!
Please believe what FirstMed tells you about the procedure (and don’t listen to scaremongers) – just do it!
Afterwards I cannot tell you how relieved I felt – and how grateful I was to the wonderful team at the Endoscopy Clinic. They were all so kind and understanding.
Would I do it again – 100% yes - but next time without any fear!
Thank you FirstMed!
