What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a medical procedure used to examine the inside of the colon, also known as the large intestine. It is designed to look for changes in the lining, such as swollen, irritated tissues, polyps, or cancer. It is typically performed by a gastroenterologist, a specialist in digestive system disorders. During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and guided through the entire colon.
The colonoscope has a light and a camera at its tip, allowing the doctor to visualize the colon lining on a monitor. The procedure helps in diagnosing and treating various conditions, such as colorectal cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diverticulosis, diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding.
When should I get a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopies are an important tool for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer, as they can identify and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancerous. The frequency of colonoscopy screenings depends on various factors, including your age, personal and family medical history, and the results of previous screenings.
The timing for when to get a colonoscopy depends on various factors, including your age, personal medical history, family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and any symptoms or risk factors you may have. Here are some general guidelines for colonoscopy screening:
Average Risk Individuals
Starting at age 45, it is recommended to begin regular screening for colorectal cancer in average-risk individuals. The preferred screening method is a colonoscopy, which is typically repeated every 10 years if no polyps are found.
The colonoscope has a light and a camera at its tip, allowing the doctor to visualize the colon lining on a monitor. The procedure helps in diagnosing and treating various conditions, such as colorectal cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diverticulosis, diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Increased Risk Individuals
- Family History: If you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who has had colorectal cancer or advanced polyps, polyps greater than one centimeter in size or with advanced history, it is generally recommended to start screening earlier (usually around 10 years before the age at which the relative was diagnosed) or at age 40, whichever is earlier.
- Personal History: If you have previously had colorectal cancer or advanced of polyps, your healthcare provider will recommend more frequent colonoscopies based on the specific characteristics of the polyps or cancer.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Individuals with a history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease may need to undergo colonoscopies at earlier intervals, depending on the duration and extent of the disease.
What are symptoms that require a colonoscopy?
Common symptoms that patients may experience that may require a colonoscopy may include:
- Persistent changes in bowel habits.
- Diarrhea.
- Rectal bleeding.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Abdominal pain.
It's important to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate timing and frequency of colonoscopy screening based on your individual circumstances. They will consider your specific risk factors, medical history, and the guidelines from reputable sources such as the American Cancer Society or the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to provide personalized recommendations for colonoscopy screening.
How do I prepare for my colonoscopy?
Proper preparation is critical in colonoscopies. To get a clear view of your colon and prevent vomiting during the procedure, your stomach and colon must be empty. You’ll receive specific colonoscopy prep instructions telling you what you may eat or drink and when, and a detailed timeline for drinking your bowel prep liquids. Learn more about preparing for your colonoscopy, what to expect, and what to do after your colonoscopy.
If you have concerns or questions about undergoing a colonoscopy, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation.
Colonoscopy FAQ
Find our prep instructions and advice here.
A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy, meaning it uses an endoscope to examine your digestive tract to investigate and diagnose disease. Your physician may need a colonoscopy to:
- Look into symptoms like pain, nausea, difficulty swallowing, bleeding and changes in bowel habits.
- Further investigate findings in a physical examination like tenderness, a mass or signs of nutritional deficiency.
- Explore the digestive tract after lab results show a low blood count, anemia or other issue.
- Check into concerns if your personal or family medical history puts you at an increased risk of certain disorders.
- Screen for risk of disease and colorectal cancer.
Colonoscopy is the most effective way to find adenomas — colon polyps that are more likely to form into colorectal cancer. It also allows the gastroenterologist to remove any suspicious polyp. That’s why colonoscopies are done more than other, more limited endoscopic examinations (flexible sigmoidoscopy), colon X-ray (barium enema) or chemical testing for invisible traces of blood in the stool (fecal occult blood testing, immunochemical or DNA testing like Cologuard).
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death in the United States, but highly preventable. Colorectal cancer usually has no noticeable symptoms until advanced stages and then it’s much harder to treat. Detecting and removing polyps greatly reduces the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer in the future. If cancer is present, detecting it early before symptoms occur can increase your chances of survival.
Colonoscopy is a safe, low-risk procedure when performed by a well-trained physician. At the Iowa Clinic, all of our gastroenterologists are highly experienced and have undergone specialized training in order to provide high-quality, safe colonoscopies.
We also have extensive safety policies in place to ensure there are no infections and follow strict COVID-19 precautions. The infection rate in our Endoscopy Center is zero.
