If you are looking for the what, when, and how of colonoscopy, you have come to the right place.

Colonoscopy is the primary and most accurate method of detecting colorectal cancer. If your doctor confirms the presence of diseased or cancerous gut lining, the procedure can also be used to remove small pieces of tissue for lab analysis.

How is a colonoscopy done?

Colonoscopy is carried out by sending a narrow, flexible tube into the anus and up the large intestine. Since you may feel pain or discomfort, the procedure is done with sedation and can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes.

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When and how often should a colonoscopy be done?

While many health screenings are required yearly, you don’t need a colonoscopy until you are 50. But, once you hit the 50-year mark, doctors recommend that you should get a colonoscopy and repeat it every ten years, regardless of your gender and overall health.

There’s a logical reason behind the 50-years benchmark. As your body grows old, there is an increased chance of developing bowel cancer and polyps. Polyps are small abnormal tissue growths that are often harmless but can lead to cancer, which is why their removal is necessary.

A colonoscopy aims to detect the presence of polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer.

Change in Frequency of Colonoscopy

Presence of polyps in the test results changes your frequency of getting colonoscopy done.

• If your test doesn’t show any polyps, you are safe and can get it done again after ten years.
• However, the presence of one or two low-risk polyps means you should get another colonoscopy after five years.
• If the polyps are greater in number and fairly harmful, you might need the exam sooner than five years. Doctors recommend taking it between 1 and 3 years.

Similarly, you should consider getting colonoscopies earlier in your life if you have a personal or family history of colorectal problems or inflammatory bowel conditions.

Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease are common bowel conditions that increase the risk of colon cancer. If you suffer from either, should receive screenings every one or two years when you are nearing 40.

Preparation for a colonoscopy

While the procedure is simple on paper and in execution, it requires you to be fully prepared to reduce risk and ensure safety.

Some of the preparations recommended by doctors are:

• Your bowel must be clean (limit your medicines and food a few days before).
• One day before the colonoscopy, drink clear liquids and take laxatives.
• Take your day off from work and be at home (because of the laxatives).
• Do not eat or drink anything two hours before the procedure.
• Since you’ll be sedated, it is better to bring someone along.

Are there any risks involved?

Well, colonoscopy is safe, but you can’t ignore the fact that risks and complications can always occur. This can happen in the following cases:

• Removing polyps might cause bleeding.
• You might feel severe abdominal pain.
• Your body may react badly to the sedatives.
• You may suffer a tear or injury to the colon (in extremely rare cases).

Remember, these are not side effects, but just a few risks involved and don’t usually happen.

Besides being prepared for this, you are advised to check with your doctor if you feel abdominal pain, fever, or nausea after the procedure.

Are there any alternatives to colonoscopy?

Yes. Depending on your health, medical history, and medical insurance plan, you can consult your doctor for alternative tests to detect any abnormalities or cancer in the colon. These include:

1. Flexible sigmoidoscopy

This is similar to colonoscopy, and the only difference is the region it covers. Colonoscopy covers the whole colon, while sigmoidoscopy examines the lower colon only.

2. Double-contrast barium enema

Since Barium easily shows up as silvery-white on X-ray, it is administered via the rectum to view the colon and detect any abnormalities

3. CT Colonography

CT colonography can be considered a “virtual” colonoscopy since its function is the same but it is less invasive. A machine scans the lower body to obtain pictures of the inside of your colon with computed tomography.

Since you don’t have to be sedated, this is especially suited for those who can’t handle anaesthesia.

If your doctor finds a problem with any of these tests, or if these tests don’t suit your condition, you might need to go with a colonoscopy then.

Remember, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, and you can’t take any chances to let it go undetected. And as stated earlier, a colonoscopy is the most accurate method to detect it.

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