Colonoscopy

A check of your large bowel for certain conditions.

A colonoscopy is an examination of the lining of the large bowel (bowel) using a thin flexible, tube-like telescope called a colonoscope, which is carefully passed through your back passage and into the colon. It is useful for finding out what is causing certain symptoms like abdominal pain, or as a check-up for some bowel conditions.

Why you might need it

Your doctor may recommend you have a colonoscopy if you experience symptoms such as changes to your bowel habits, anal discharge, itchy anus, bowel incontinence, constipation, diarrhoea or bleeding from your back passage. It can be used to help diagnose bowel cancer and as a check-up on certain bowel conditions, like Crohn’s disease.

During the procedure, your doctor may take one or more biopsies (samples of the lining of the colon) for examination in a laboratory. It’s also possible to remove polyps (small lumps of tissue that may be found on the colon lining) at the same time. Though polyps are harmless, they have the potential to become cancerous.

Depending on your symptoms, alternatives to this procedure may include a sigmoidoscopy, a virtual colonoscopy or a barium enema.

We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence, you’ll be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Who will do it?

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They’ll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

Before your treatment

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.