E03 Colonoscopy

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of the large bowel (colon) using a flexible telescope (see figure 1).

Your doctor has recommended a colonoscopy. However, it is your decision to go ahead with the procedure or not. This document will give you information about the benefits and risks to help you make an informed decision.

If you have any questions that this document does not answer, you should ask your doctor or any member of the endoscopy team.

Why do I need a colonoscopy?

Your doctor is concerned that you may have a problem in the large bowel. A colonoscopy is a good way of finding out if there is a problem or not.

If the endoscopist (the person doing the colonoscopy) finds a problem, they can perform biopsies (removing small pieces of tissue) to help make the diagnosis.

Sometimes a polyp (small growth) is the cause of the problem and the endoscopist may be able to remove it during the procedure.

Are there any alternatives to a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is recommended as it is the best way of diagnosing most problems with the large bowel.

Other options include a barium enema (an x-ray test of the large bowel) or a CT colography (a special scan of the large bowel). However, if your doctor finds a problem, you may still need a colonoscopy to treat the problem or perform biopsies.

What will happen if I decide not to have a colonoscopy?

Your doctor may not be able to confirm the cause of the problem.

If you decide not to have a colonoscopy, you should discuss this carefully with your doctor.

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