Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your gastroenterologist to examine the lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum using a flexible tube with a camera on the end, called a colonoscope. Bowel preparation is required on the day prior to a colonoscopy to clear the bowel of all stool. This allows accurate visualisation of the bowel lining, where abnormalities such as polyps, bowel cancer or inflammation can be detected. During a colonoscopy, interventions can be undertaken such as resecting polyps. The procedure is performed under sedation, which is administered by an anaesthetist. A colonoscopy typically takes 20–30 minutes and is considered a day procedure (admission and discharge on the same day). Detailed preparation instructions will be provided prior to each procedure.

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for detecting and preventing bowel cancer.

Why is a colonoscopy performed?

• Bowel cancer screening and surveillance: positive faecal occult blood test or National Bowel Cancer Screening Program result
• Family history of bowel cancer
• Iron deficiency and/or anaemia
• Investigation of symptoms such as rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit (diarrhoea/constipation), or abdominal pain
• Surveillance of inflammatory bowel disease
• Colonic polyp surveillance and resection of polyps

Referral

A referral from your GP or specialist is required. In some cases, a direct access referral may be appropriate — please see our Direct Access to Endoscopy service.