Colonoscopy

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in males and females. Nearly 90% of colon cancer begins as a small polyp which grows into a larger polyp which then degenerates into malignancy (cancer). Colonoscopy is recommended for all males and females over 45yrs old to look for and remove colon polyps. Colonoscopy may be recommended sooner than age 45 based on your family history, diseases, or symptoms.

Colonoscopy is a video evaluation of the colon. During Colonoscopy, the doctor may perform biopsy, polyp removal, cautery, clip placement, or other maneuvers through the scope which may be required by the condition or findings. In order to evaluate the colon, it needs to be washed out so that the colon can be evaluated by the camera on the tip of the scope. The cleansing process is done by the patient the night before and the morning of the procedure. Washing your colon out is necessary for a successful colonoscopy, but it is not the most enjoyable thing…

These procedures are performed by the doctor at an endoscopy center or hospital. They are not done in the office. The location of the procedure is determined during your office visit.

Colonoscopy can be uncomfortable, therefore patients are sedated during the procedure by medications given through an IV. This type of sedation is called conscious sedation, and usually the sedated patient does not remember much of the procedure. Patients breath on their own during conscious sedation. (In case you are wondering, “conscious sedation” is NOT “general sedation” which requires a person to be intubated, a ventilator for breathing, is only done in the hospital, and is rarely used for endoscopy.)