Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large bowel and the lower part of the small bowel, using a camera mounted on a flexible tube that is passed through the anus so a doctor can inspect the lining of the colon wall, detect ulceration or precancerous polyps, and take a biopsy or remove a suspected colorectal cancer lesion. In the United States it is a commonly recommended cancer screening test, often beginning at age 45 or 50 depending on risk factors and professional guidelines, though other countries more often rely on alternatives such as fecal occult blood testing or sigmoidoscopy. Beyond screening, colonoscopy is also used to evaluate gastrointestinal bleeding, unexplained changes in bowel habits, and to help diagnose inflammatory bowel disease or colon polyps.
Facts
FAQs
Up to what age is colonoscopy screening recommended?
Screening is recommended for adults aged 45 to 75; for ages 76 to 85 the decision is individual.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force, as summarized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends that adults aged 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer, and colonoscopy is one of the accepted ways to do it. For people aged 76 to 85, the decision to be screened is made on an individual basis, so it is worth discussing with a doctor. This entry records what the guidance says and is not medical advice.
Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
2. Wikipedia: Colonoscopy
WikipediaHistory section, paragraph on the 1970 cecal examinations
In 1970, Deyhle, Nagasako and Watanabe reported successful examinations extending into the cecum using instruments from Machida and Olympus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonoscopy, lead section
Colonoscopy () or coloscopy () is a medical procedure involving the endoscopic examination of the large bowel (colon) and the distal portion of the small bowel.
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