Colonoscopy in Melbourne

Conditions and Symptoms Diagnosed

Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to examine inflammatory bowel disease, a history of colon polyps in you or a close relative, and to rule out colon cancer. The following symptoms of bowel disease can be effectively investigated using this procedure:

• Rectal bleeding
• Change in bowel habits (e.g. prolonged diarrhoea)
• Lower abdominal pain
• Blood in the stools
• Colon and bowel polyps
• Screening for colon cancer (colorectal cancer)
• Screening for bowel cancer

Colonoscopy is currently the best way of detecting and the only means of removing polyps from the bowel.

Conditions Treated

Colonoscopy is also used to treat certain conditions, preventing the need for surgery. Polyps can be removed through the colonoscope, biopsies can be taken, and bleeding can be stopped or prevented.Bowel cancer usually starts from a bowel polyp. Bowel polyps are small growths on the lining of the bowel wall. They are common, especially as we age. Polyps are usually non-cancerous. However, some have the potential to develop into bowel cancer in the future.

> More information about bowel cancer and prevention

Colonoscopy Procedure Overview

After a light anaesthetic is given, a small camera is inserted with images viewed on a video screen – a far more accurate method than x-ray for detecting polyps, inflammation, or early cancer.

You will be asleep for a short period of time and will not be aware of the procedure.

Preparation

To ensure the safe and effective practice of Colonoscopy, specific preparation of your digestive system is required. If attending Direct Endoscopy for treatment, please click on the link below and carefully read the preparation information.

Colonoscopy Services in Melbourne