What is Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy or colonoscopy screening involves looking at the colon from inside the body using a long, thin (about the width of your little finger), flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end, through which the doctor can view your whole colon and rectum. The Colorectal Surgeon uses a colonoscope is inserted into the anus and advances through the entire colon and possibly a short distance into the small intestine (called the terminal ileum). The test is designed to find abnormal growths such as polyps or tumours. If suspicious-looking tissue is found, it can often be treated or removed at the same time. Most colorectal cancers start as non-cancerous polyps that are fast-growing cells by screening colonoscopy; one can find and often remove the polyps before it is developed into cancer. The colonoscope contains channels that allow the Colorectal Surgeon to obtain biopsies (small pieces of tissue), remove polyps, and to introduce or withdraw fluid or air.