Colonoscopy

What is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is the gold standard diagnostic procedure for examining your entire large bowel (colon) and rectum, using a flexible camera-equipped tube called a colonoscope. This comprehensive examination allows our specialist gastroenterologists to visualise the complete 1.5-metre length of your colon, from rectum to caecum, detecting potentially life-threatening conditions like bowel cancer at their earliest, most treatable stages. 

Unlike shorter procedures like sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy provides complete visualisation of the entire large bowel, making it the most thorough method for detecting bowel cancer, polyps, and inflammatory conditions throughout your digestive system. Advanced techniques such as chromocolonoscopy enhance accuracy. This involves applying harmless dyes to the colon's interior surface to make abnormalities and features stand out for the camera.

At LivingCare, we deliver expert colonoscopy services at both our Leeds and Sheffield locations. We use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest comfort-enhancing techniques to ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible. 

There are three main reasons to seek a colonoscopy.

Diagnosing symptoms

You may have started seeing blood in your poo, or have an unexplained iron deficiency. Perhaps your bowel habits have changed over the last few weeks, with diarrhoea, constipation, mucus or discharge that you cannot explain. You might have persistent abdominal cramps or feel that your bowels are not emptying. These are all excellent reasons to have a colonoscopy.

Monitoring conditions

Colonoscopies are often used to monitor the condition of your colon, helping prevent illness and promote recovery. It can keep an eye on polyps, track recovery from bowl surgery and cancer treatments or look for cancers in people with a family history of bowel cancer. It will also investigate the reasons for abnormal CT or MRI scan readings. 

Taking action

Colonoscopies sometimes involve direct intervention, aiding in polyp or foreign body removals, biopsy collections and bleeding control. 

Research demonstrates that colonoscopy can reduce bowel cancer deaths by up to 67% through early detection and polyp removal, making it the most effective colorectal cancer prevention strategy available. Our leading consultants work in purpose-built endoscopy suites in Leeds and Sheffield, offering same-day procedures for urgent referrals and comprehensive care from preparation to follow-up. 

How a Colonoscopy Works

Our colonoscopy procedures utilise the latest Olympus high-definition endoscopes. These use HD imaging technology and LED lighting, yet only measure 13mm in diameter. 

Step-by-Step Procedure:

1. You'll be positioned comfortably on your left-hand side and given an initial external examination before lubrication is applied.
2. The colonoscope advances through the rectum, carefully navigating each section.
3. Each area is inspected during advancement and withdrawal, with high-resolution images captured at key areas.
4. Any biopsies or treatments are administered as required.
5. Careful withdrawal completes the procedure.

Are you having a chromocolonoscopy?

You may be offered a chromocolonoscopy. This specialised procedure sprays a harmless dye on the inside of your colon before it is screened. The added colour helps doctors identify unusual features more clearly, such as raised lesions and polyps, mucosal changes, and faint borders around abnormal tissue. It is particularly valuable for patients suffering from conditions where detecting early changes can improve outcomes.

What to Expect When Receiving a Colonoscopy

Before your appointment

What to eat

Starting 3-5 days before your procedure, you will need to avoid high-fibre foods like popcorn and seeds, as well as nuts, red meat and any food with red colouring added. Instead, you will be asked to choose white bread, white rice, pasta, chicken and fish, as well as eggs and dairy.

How to prepare your bowel

Drink only clear liquids from lunchtime the day before your colonoscopy, and take any preparation solutions that LivingCare ask you to use. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Adjusting your medications

You should stop taking iron supplements 5-7 days before the colonoscopy. All your medications will be discussed with LivingCare at the booking stage, as any blood thinners may need to be stopped temporarily. 

At Your Appointment

Available Comfort Options:

• No sedation: Remain alert throughout (approximately 15% of patients)
• Mild sedation: Light medication for relaxation
• Moderate sedation: Standard approach for most patients
• Deep sedation: Available for particularly anxious patients

Procedure Timeline:

• Arrival and check-in: 30 minutes
• Pre-procedure preparation: 15-30 minutes
• Colonoscopy procedure: 15-45 minutes (average 25 minutes)
• Recovery time: 30-90 minutes
• Total visit: 2-4 hours

During Your Colonoscopy: Your experienced consultant will explain each step, ensuring you're comfortable throughout. You may feel some pressure as the scope advances through your colon, as well as a brief cramping when air is introduced to widen the passage. There may be a momentary discomfort when the scope is manoeuvred. 

After Your Appointment

Immediately after your colonoscopy, you’ll rest in the recovery room where we can monitor your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels. You’ll be able to discuss the Immediate results with a consultant. 

After discharge, you can resume normal activities immediately without sedation. If you had sedation, someone must drive you home, and you’ll need to rest for the remainder of the day and avoid alcohol for 24 hours. 

Risks and Complications of a Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is one of the safest endoscopic procedures, with our expert team performing thousands annually with excellent outcomes.

Warning Signs Requiring Medical Attention:

• Severe abdominal pain beyond expected cramping
• Fever above 38°C
• Heavy rectal bleeding (more than small spots)
• Persistent vomiting
• Signs of dehydration

How to Recover Following a Colonoscopy

Feeling bloated or having mild cramping in the first 24-48 hours is normal. You’ll return to all your normal activities and diet by 48-72 hours.  You’ll have a scheduled follow-up appointment if biopsies are taken, with results due in 5-7 days.

References

1. NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. (2024). Colonoscopy Quality Assurance Guidelines.
2. British Society of Gastroenterology. (2024). Quality Standards for Colonoscopy.
3. European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. (2024). Colonoscopy Performance Measures.
4. Royal College of Physicians. (2024). Colorectal Cancer Prevention Guidelines.
5. Cancer Research UK. (2024). Bowel Cancer Statistics and Screening Evidence.