Colonoscopy: Colon Cancer Prevention

Colonoscopy: Prevent Colon Cancer

A colonoscopy is a procedure that is probably the most advanced way to identify and detect colon cancer. Not only is it very effective but it gives the doctors all of the information that they will need for your diagnosis and prompt care.

The day prior to the procedure, the patient will have to take a laxative to make certain that the bowel area is clean. The patient will also have to fast for a minimum of 6 hours before the test. This procedure is done on an outpatient basis and really does not take very log at all. You should expect to be sedated while the procedure is taking place. You will be asked to lie on your side and a colon scope will be used. A colon scope is a very narrow and thin telescope. It has a very powerful light on it so that the doctor is able to get a good look around. Further, if needed, the colon scope can either suck air out of the colon or blow air into the colon, whichever is decided by your doctor.

The doctor then lubricates the colon scope and inserts it into the rectum. If necessary, he may need to blow some air into the bowel so that he can get a much clearer picture of what is going on. The images of the colon are shown on a nearby screen so that you may watch if you happen to just be sedated rather than asleep. The doctor might have to remove a bit of tissue but it is completely painless.

After the procedure the patient will rest while the sedative wears off and will need someone to drive them home. If the procedure was a bit more complicated than a normal colonoscopy, they may have to stay for a few hours and be observed for any bleeding. The colonoscopy is a magnificent procedure that allows the doctor to receive flawless results when looking for any defects that might be occurring in the bowel and intestine area. A colonoscopy can find polyps, irregular bleeding, and tumors in great detail.