During the procedure, a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a small camera on the end, known as a colonoscope, to examine the inside of the large bowel. In some cases, the test can also view part of the small intestine.
Aside from just looking around, a colonoscopy allows doctors to take small tissue samples, called biopsies, or even remove growths, like polyps, right on the spot. These are not just diagnostic measures; they are, in fact, preventive measures as well. For example, if you remove a polyp, you could be preventing cancer from even occurring in the first place.
The technology used in colonoscopies has advanced significantly in recent years. The current technology allows for the taking of very detailed images, which enables doctors to detect even the slightest abnormalities in the colon. It is because of this technology that the procedure still remains the gold standard in colorectal cancer screening.
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Where Does the Fear Come From?
The fear associated with colonoscopies mainly comes from misinformation, as many picture the procedure as painful or distressing, but this is rarely the case.
