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Colonoscopies

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Colonoscopies are very common procedures that help to detect cancer of the intestine.

Basically this is a special camera inside of a flexible tube that is inserted into the large intestine. A Gastroenterologist, specialist inintestine and stomach disorders, is usually the doctor will perform the test.

The test itself is done in a hospital or surgery center. It is recommended for all men and women over the age of 50. It is recommended at younger ages if you have a family history of any type of intestinal or colon cancer. Other conditions can also be diagnosed through a colonoscopy including alternative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Your doctor will give you a bowel prep to drink the night before. This allows your intestine to be clean and free of any stool that would affect the testing.


Your doctor will give you anesthesia or sedation and you will not remember any portion of the test. A colonoscopy is not painful, however you may have some cramping sensations afterward.

The camera will examine the large intestine to determine if there is any bleeding, abnormal tissue, or polyps. A polyp is an overgrowth of the intestinal skin into a mushroom shape. Polyps are linked with cancer and will be removed during the colonoscopy. This procedure is called a biopsy. The polyp sample is then sent to a special laboratory for additional testing.

If there is cancer in the polyp, your doctor will discuss treatment options. If your test is normal, you will not be required to do another colonoscopVV N y for 10 years. Most cancers grow very slowly in the intestine. Therefore early detection is the best way to prevent complications and extensive surgery later in life.

If you have a family history of intestinal problems, you are recommended to have a colonoscopy soon. Talk with your doctor today. It may save your life.

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