Colonoscopy

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, we offer colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic colonoscopies to protect your long-term health. A colonoscopy helps your provider find cancer early and diagnose a range of intestinal diseases.

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to look inside your large intestine, which includes your colon and rectum. Your provider uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end called a colonoscope. They check for intestinal problems such as swelling, ulcers, abnormal growths (polyps) and cancer.

Colonoscopy uses and benefits

A colonoscopy is an important procedure to screen for cancer. Screening is testing for a disease when you don't have any symptoms.

Colonoscopies also help your provider diagnose gastrointestinal diseases. The procedure can protect your health long-term and guide any necessary treatment.

Colorectal cancer screening

People age 45 or older should get a colonoscopy every 10 years to check for colorectal cancer. This cancer can start in the colon or rectum. Your provider may recommend screening earlier or getting more frequent colonoscopies if you have certain risk factors, such as a family history of colorectal cancer.

Your provider can find cancer early – when it's easiest to treat and cure – with a colonoscopy. They can also remove any polyps found during the procedure.

Polyps commonly develop in adults and are usually harmless. However, some can turn into cancerous tissue over time. Removing polyps early may help prevent cancer.

Risk factors for colorectal cancer

You may face a higher risk for colorectal cancer based on your:

• Assigned sex at birth: Males are more likely to get colorectal cancer than females.
• Family history: A family history of polyps or colorectal cancer increases your risk of developing these problems.
• Health history: A personal history of obesity or inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, increases your risk. Having certain genetic disorders, such as Lynch syndrome, also increases your risk.
• Race: People who are Black have a higher risk than people of other races.
• Smoking: Using tobacco products increases your risk for many cancers, including colorectal cancer.

Diagnostic colonoscopy

A diagnostic colonoscopy helps your provider diagnose intestinal problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease. The procedure shows issues such as ulcers, tumors, bleeding and swelling.

You may need a diagnostic colonoscopy if you experience symptoms such as:

• Bleeding from your anus
• Changes in bowel activity, such as diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Unexplained weight loss

What to expect with a colonoscopy

A colonoscopy takes about 30 to 60 minutes. You undergo the procedure at a hospital or outpatient center.

Before a colonoscopy

Your provider will insert an intravenous (IV) needle into a vein in your arm or hand. You'll receive sedation or anesthesia through the IV. You may also receive pain medication if necessary. These medications keep you as comfortable as possible during the procedure.

During a colonoscopy

You won't be awake or feel pain during the procedure. Your provider will guide a colonoscope through your anus into your rectum and colon. They'll look at the camera's image on a monitor and examine your entire large intestine.

Your provider may remove polyps or abnormal tissue during the colonoscopy if they find anything concerning. Any removed tissue is sent to a lab for testing.

After a colonoscopy

You'll stay under the watch of health care professionals until sedation or anesthesia wears off completely. People usually stay for one to two hours after a colonoscopy. You won't be allowed to drive, so you'll need to arrange for someone to take you home.

Your provider will share their findings and coordinate any necessary follow-up care. Analysis of any removed polyps or abnormal tissue can take a few days.

You'll receive detailed instructions on easing back into your normal activities and diet. You should recover fully within one to two days.

Colonoscopy risks and side effects

Colonoscopies are generally safe procedures. In very few cases, the colonoscope can tear the lining of the colon. Rarely, breathing or heart problems can also develop from anesthesia.

You may experience side effects, such as:

• Rectal bleeding, especially if your provider removed polyps or a tissue sample
• Stomach pain, bloating or discomfort
• Nausea or headache from sedation or anesthesia