Colonoscopy 

What is a Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables your doctor to examine the lining of the colon (large bowel) for abnormalities more accurately than x-ray. The colonoscope is a small flexible tube that has a tiny video camera inside to allow the doctor to visualise your bowel. The doctor may pass a forcep through the scope to take small tissue samples (biopsies) for examination by the pathology laboratory. If polyps are found they may be removed, thereby avoiding an operation.

Some people may know this procedure as “the camera up the back passage or rectum”.

Pre-Admission Clinic
All patients attending for colonoscopy will be required to see our Pre-Admission Nurse.

Pre-Admission information

What can be expected during colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is generally well tolerated and rarely causes pain. Prior to the procedure you will be given a light anaesthetic through a small needle into your vein. This will make you sleepy and comfortable. You should remember little or nothing of the procedure. The colonoscope is gently passed into the back passage and manoeuvred through the large bowel and sometimes into the first part of the small bowel. The procedure usually takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

For more information
Download our Detailed Colonoscopy Information/Instruction Sheet – PDF

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program