Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is the first step in preventing colon cancer. Removal of polyps protects a person from getting cancer.

For Gastroenterology related requests:

For all other requests:: 1-800-777-8442

Talk with Your Doctor to Determine Which Tests are Appropriate for You:

Annual fecal occult blood testing
Colonoscopy (colonoscope is a longer version of the sigmoidoscope and allows doctors to see the entire colon) every 10 years
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
Virtual colonoscopy (super X-ray or an advanced CT scan of the colon) every five years
Your Guide to Colon Cancer Screening

Your Guide to Colonoscopy

At the Digestive Health Center, our experts can handle anything that is found in your colonoscopy in the least intrusive way possible. We offer the latest in diagnostics-colonoscopy, pill endoscopy, and virtual colonoscopy. If something undesirable is found, we have the expertise and tools to remove it during the procedure.

Our GI physicians work closely with the region's only board-certified colorectal surgeons, so if there is need for a surgery, that consultation can happen the same day. Sometimes they even work together to do the surgery during the colonoscopy.

Conditions treated

Familial polyposis
Healthy individuals with familial history
Hereditary colon cancer
HNPCC
Screening for otherwise healthy individuals

Testing options

Balloon-assisted enteroscopy (such as double balloon enteroscopy)
Colonoscopy
EUS
Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Treatment options

APC of vascular lesions
Chromoendoscopy for surveillance of IBD
Closure of leaks or early perforations
Evaluation of rectal and perirectal disease
Hemorrhoid treatment
Hemostasis of bleeding lesions
Polyp resection (cold and hot biopsies, cold and hot snares)
Radiofrequency ablation of radiation proctitis
Rectal cancer staging
Retrograde access to the small bowel
Sclerotherapy of rectal varices
Stent placement
Stricture dilation
Technically challenging colonoscopies

Colonoscopy types

There are three types of colonoscopies.

Diagnostic/therapeutic colonoscopy

This is done to find the cause of a medical problem, such as gastrointestinal symptoms, colon polyps, or gastrointestinal disease.

Surveillance/high-risk colonoscopy screening

This is done when you have a personal history of Crohn’s’ Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or a personal or direct relative with colon polyps, and/or colon cancer. This is not done because you have gastrointestinal symptoms. You will need to have colonoscopy more often than other people (often every 2 to 5 years).

Preventive/average risk colonoscopy screening

This is done when you do not have gastrointestinal symptoms, are 50 years old or older, and do not have a personal history of gastrointestinal disease, colon polyps, and/or cancer. People in this group have not had a colonoscopy within the last 10 years.