What is the colon?

The colon, or large intestine, is the part of the digestive tract which stores stool (feces) until it is socially acceptable to pass it. The colon absorbs water and other substances from the stool. The lowermost part of the colon is the rectum. Altogether, the colon is approximately three feet long.

What is colon cancer?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Canada, after breast and lung cancer in women, and prostate and lung cancer in men.

Although colon cancer usually does not grow rapidly, it has often spread by the time symptoms develop. Almost all colon cancers begin as small benign growths called polyps. Not all polyps will become cancerous, but the only way of ensuring prevention of cancer is to remove any polyps that develop. Regular screening can diagnose the disease at an early stage when it is more treatable.

If colon cancer is so preventable, then why is it so common?

Until recently, little attention had been paid to colon cancer because of embarrassment about discussing this part of the body. Increasingly, people are requesting screening for colon cancer. This can be very effectively and efficiently done using colonoscopy.

What is colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables your specially trained physician to examine the inner lining of your colon for abnormalities including cancer and polyps. It involves gentle insertion of a flexible tube, about the thickness of your little finger, into the anus and up through your rectum and colon. It is done using a mild sedative to prevent discomfort. When the colon has been properly cleansed following the preparation instructions, the entire colon can be examined more than 95% of the time.

Since 2000, False Creek Surgical Centre services resulted in:

• 175 colonoscopies performed
• 5 had incidental carcinomas (malignant) detected in diagnostic screening.

What can be expected during a colonoscopy?

The procedure usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. With modern sedative medications, there is rarely significant discomfort, and many people do not recall the procedure. A small IV needle is placed in the arm before the procedure, through which medications are given.

Following the procedure, you may feel drowsy, and you are advised not to drive or make important decisions until the next day. Before you leave, you will be given your results and if necessary, any follow-up instructions. You will need to be taken home by a responsible adult following the procedure.

Preparing for colonoscopy

You will need to thoroughly cleanse your colon before the colonoscopy. Simple fasting, laxatives and/or enemas are usually not enough to clean the walls of the colon...it is truly surprising just how much stool our colon contains! Your last solid food should be not less than 36 hours before the colonoscopy, but you may drink liquids hours up until several hours before. Special liquid laxatives are required, and you will be given special directions about this in advance. Your doctor will need to know specific details about your medical history in advance in order to give individualized instructions regarding your usual medications.
Are there any risks involved in a colonoscopy?

Millions of colonoscopies are performed every year by trained gastroenterologists without any problems. The examination is generally considered to be extremely safe. However, as with any procedure, there is always a small risk of complications. These risks will be discussed with you upon consultation with one of our gastroenterologists, but for the majority of people the potential benefit of colonoscopy outweighs the small risks.