Colonoscopy

What is it?

A colonoscopy lets the doctor look inside the large intestine (colon) with a flexible tube that has a camera, passed through the anus. It is used to look for the cause of some digestive problems and to spot abnormalities such as polyps.

What to expect

Preparation is needed beforehand (a special diet and bowel cleansing), and the exam is often done under anaesthesia or sedation. The doctor then explains what was observed.