Answering Commonly Asked Questions About Colonoscopies

From how long a colonoscopy will take to how much of your trunk is exposed, a leading gastroenterologist addresses frequently asked concerns about the exam.

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Do you take questions about colonoscopies? If and so, you're not alone. One of the principal reasons people avoid getting this lifesaving test is because they think it will be painful or embarrassing, according to an American Cancer Gild study.

"I witness many patients who are anxious about getting a colonoscopy, but it's non something to be feared," says Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman, a gastroenterologist and the director of The Jay Monahan Centre for Gastrointestinal Health and an associate attending doc at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Eye. "Once they understand what's involved, their fears subside."

Colon cancer is highly preventable, yet information technology's on the rising in younger populations. The American Cancer Society now recommends starting screening at age 45 — earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer — based in part on new data showing an increase in rates of colorectal cancer in people between the ages of 20 and 55.

Here, Dr. Schnoll-Sussman breaks down what happens during a colonoscopy, dispels some mutual fears and misconceptions, and why it'due south important to get one.

It's safe and pain-gratuitous.

During a colonoscopy, you have a whole squad by your side to ensure your safety, which may include a gastroenterologist, an anesthesiology professional, a nurse, and a technician. This highly skilled team is assembled to ensure your comfort and condom during the procedure.

Before your colonoscopy, yous are lightly sedated and your vital signs will be monitored during your process. The sedation will allow you to feel relaxed and comfy. Your gastroenterologist will then insert into your rectum a colonoscope — a sparse, flexible, hollow tube with a tiny camera on the end — to view the entire colon. Many patients are then comfortable that they do not even realize the procedure was completed.

Your trunk is completely covered during the examination.

You may be wondering how much of your torso is exposed during a colonoscopy. But don't worry about being embarrassed or exposed — you lot volition wearable a hospital gown, and a sheet provides extra covering. Remainder assured that, during the procedure, your gastroenterologist will be focused on a monitor displaying the inside of your colon, not on your backside.

Information technology goes by speedily and you'll see with your gastroenterologist following the process.

A typical colonoscopy takes approximately 30 minutes. If polyps are found and need to be removed, it may take longer. Once the procedure is finished, you slowly wake upwards. Then you get dressed and come across with your gastroenterologist, who will tell you what they saw during the colonoscopy. If a biopsy was taken or a polyp removed, your md will contact yous in a few days one time the pathologist reviews the tissue sample.

Prepping for it really takes longer; y'all can read more about that here.

Portrait of Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman

Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman

You lot tin can resume your normal life inside 24 hours.

You tin swallow and get back to a somewhat normal routine within an hr or two. You may experience some gas and abdominal bloating, but that dissipates within several hours. Exist sure to arrange for a ride to accept you domicile, and focus on resting for the balance of the day. Y'all can resume work the adjacent twenty-four hours.

Colonoscopy is the gold standard in detecting and preventing colon cancer.

While in that location are other methods of screening for colorectal cancer, such as stool-based tests that place hidden blood and genetic mutations in the stool, a colonoscopy is still the only diagnostic and therapeutic procedure to both screen and prevent colorectal cancer.

Notice out how to best gear up for a colonoscopy, or for more than information and to book an engagement, visit here.

Felice Schnoll-Sussman, One thousand.D., is a gastroenterologist and the manager of The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, director of endoscopy; an acquaintance attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center; and an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.