Amelia Grant

If you are concerned about bowel or colon cancer, consult your general practitioner (GP) for advice and medical treatment. If your doctor decides a colonoscopy is necessary, he or she may refer you to a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon who will conduct the procedure.

Colorectal cancer is often slow-growing, and there are generally no signs in its early stages. However, the most prevalent signs of bowel cancer are as follows:

- Rectal bleeding;
- Changes in bowel habits, such as loose (diarrhea), constipation, or narrower-than-normal stools;
- Abdominal pain;

- Incomplete bowel movements;
- Stomach ache, cramping, and bloating;
- Sudden weight reduction;
- Unexplained weariness or exhaustion (anemia).

If you are experiencing any of these colorectal cancer symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options. Your doctor may prescribe a colonoscopy.

What Precisely Is a Colonoscopy?
You are anesthetized (with a little anesthetic) for the colonoscopy, which lasts only 20-30 minutes. Your gastroenterologist inserts a 'colonoscope', a very small video camera linked to a long, flexible tube, into your large intestine (colon).

Carbon dioxide or air is then introduced into your colon to dilate the intestine and improve visibility of the colon lining; your doctor then collects tissue samples and looks for abnormalities such as polyps.  

If polyps are discovered, tissue samples or biopsies will be obtained for additional examination, and the polyps will typically be removed as a precaution. Hospitals often do not allow you to drive after your surgery, so make arrangements for someone to bring you home because you may be too tired.

When Should You Have a Colonoscopy?
Cancer is not the only condition that produces the symptoms listed above, but rectal bleeding should never be overlooked. So, if you observe any of the symptoms, particularly blood in your stools, visit your doctor for health care and guidance, as well as a colonoscopy to rule out colon cancer. 

Patients frequently schedule a gastroscopy at the same time as their colonoscopy to check or diagnose a health issue, or simply for peace of mind. A gastroscopy is a straightforward procedure that lets our specialists examine your oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine to diagnose symptoms such as trouble swallowing, upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and reflux.

What Is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer (or bowel cancer) develops in the large intestine, located near the end of the digestive tract. This form of cancer typically affects elderly individuals, although it can develop at any age. Colon cancer generally begins as tiny collections of benign (non-cancerous) cells called polyps within the colon. 

These cause little, if any, symptoms but can eventually lead to cancer. During a colonoscopy, these polyps can be removed, lowering the chance of them becoming cancerous.

Should I Be Concerned About Getting a Colonoscopy?
If your doctor or Melbourne gastroenterologist has advised you to get a Melbourne colonoscopy, you need not be concerned. You will be drugged and unable to feel anything. Most individuals claim that preparation for a colonoscopy is as simple as the operation itself.

How to Prepare For a Colonoscopy
Before performing a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist must know about your health history and other issues, such as:

- Diabetes;
- Kidney disease;
- Heart conditions;
- Allergic reactions to drugs;
- Pregnancy;
- Lung conditions;
- Previous colonoscopy findings.

Your doctor may need to know whether you use any blood coagulation medications, such as Warfarin, Pradaxa, or Eliquis (blood thinners). These drugs may need to be modified before the colonoscopy.

Other preparations include clearing up your colon so the doctor can view what's inside the lumen. You will be given instructions to follow the day before the operation, including dietary restrictions. You will also be given instructions for bowel preparation.