Colonoscopy

Why a colonoscopy is done

You might be referred for a colonoscopy if:

• you're bleeding from your bottom or there's blood in your poo
• you have diarrhoea or constipation that does not go away
• you're losing weight or feeling really tired for no reason
• your bowel is being checked for growths (polyps) or conditions such as Crohn's disease, diverticular disease or diverticulitis, or bowel cancer

Most of the time it will not find anything to worry about.

But sometimes it might find something that needs a closer look or further testing.

Getting ready for a colonoscopy

Once you've been referred for a colonoscopy, you'll be given information about the procedure. You'll also be given laxatives, or told where to get them.

You'll find out:

• when and where you'll have the procedure
• what you need to eat and drink in the days before your test
• when you should stop eating and drinking before the test
• how to take the laxatives so you have an empty bowel before the test (bowel preparation)

You may get diarrhoea a few hours after taking the first dose of laxatives. Stay at home and be near a toilet after you've started taking them.

Let the hospital know if you're pregnant.

Bring along the details of medicines you take and follow any instructions the hospital gives you about taking your medicines.

What happens during a colonoscopy

Before a colonoscopy

On the day of your colonoscopy you'll need to stop eating. You'll be told when to stop drinking before your procedure.

You'll speak with a healthcare professional about what's going to happen. They will ask you to change into a hospital gown.

The test may be uncomfortable but it should not hurt. If you are in pain, tell the doctor or nurse. They can give you things to help, such as:

• painkillers
• sedation – medicine given through a small tube in your arm to help you relax
• gas and air – you breathe this in to help you relax

Not all hospitals offer all these things – ask about what you can have.

During a colonoscopy

During this procedure:

1. A thin, flexible tube with a small camera inside goes into your bottom. You may feel the camera go in, but it should not hurt.
2. A small amount of gas or water is pumped in to open up the bowels so they can be seen more clearly – you may feel a bit bloated or like you need the toilet.
3. The tube goes through all of your large bowel – you may have some stomach cramps.
4. Any growths (polyps) in your bowels will be removed or a sample of cells taken – you will not feel anything if this happens.

It should take 30 to 45 minutes to have your colonoscopy.

But you might be at the hospital for around 2 hours from the time you get there until you go home

After a colonoscopy

After your colonoscopy is finished, you'll usually be told if any growths (polyps) have been removed, or if a small sample, tissue or cells have been taken for further tests (a biopsy).

You'll then be moved to the recovery room. The nurses will monitor you until you're ready go home.

You cannot drive for 24 hours if you have sedation. Someone will need to pick you up from hospital in a car or taxi.

You might feel bloated or have stomach cramps for 2 to 3 hours after a colonoscopy.

You may also have some blood in your poo or bleeding from your bottom for a couple of days. These things are common.

Possible complications of colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a common and straightforward procedure. Complications are rare but can include:

• a reaction to the sedation
• bleeding in your bottom
• damage to the bowel (perforation)

Getting your colonoscopy results

You should get a letter or a call with your results a few weeks after a colonoscopy.

If a GP sent you for the test, they should also get a copy of your results. Call the hospital if you have not heard anything after 3 weeks.

Normal results

This means no growths (polyps) or signs of cancer have been found in your bowel.

If you're at higher risk of bowel problems, you might be asked to have regular colonoscopies every few years to check everything is still okay.

Growths (polyps)

Your results may show they found and removed growths (polyps).

Your results will also say if, after testing the growths, they think you need any further treatment.

Or they may just say you need to come back in the future for a check-up colonoscopy.

Bowel cancer

If your results say you have cancer, you'll see a cancer specialist for treatment as soon as possible.

The earlier bowel cancer is found, the more likely it is that treatment will be effective.

A bowel condition that's not cancer

A colonoscopy can help to confirm if you have a bowel condition that's not bowel cancer.

This could be:

• piles
• Crohn's disease
• diverticular disease or diverticulitis
• ulcerative colitis

If you have one of these conditions, you may need more treatment.

Speak to a GP to find out the next steps.

Support after a colonoscopy

Most of the time a colonoscopy will not find anything to worry about.

But it might help to speak to someone if you're feeling worried about your results.

You can get in touch with charities such as:

• Bowel Cancer UK
• Cancer Research UK
• Crohn's and Colitis UK
• Guts UK
• Macmillan Cancer Support