Is Colonoscopy Safe?

Colonoscopy is the most appropriate test to diagnose cancer of the rectum and colon and it detects the problem early to save lives of people. However, the question that strikes in our mind is that whether we have to undergo for the test too often or only a few of them are sufficient or whether the diagnostic procedure is safe or not. Thus, in order to analyze the safety of the procedure, we have discussed a few key aspects to give proper answer to both of the aforementioned questions and thereby, conclude the safety of colonoscopy.

What Colonoscopy Does?

Polyp is a grape-like structure that grows in the rectum or colon of adult people and it is often harmless. However, some of the polyps commonly referred as adenomas eventually cause cancer. Doctors may spot and remove polyps based on colonoscopy procedure. This process involves the usage of a lighted and a flexible tube to examine both the rectum and the colon. If the test fails to find adenomas or cancer, individuals remain free from risks related to the disease and their chances to develop colorectal cancer become relatively low for the coming ten years.

Reason for this is that test skips hardly a few adenomas, while the problem of colorectal cancer grows at a slow pace. Even when only a few low-risk types of adenomas removed, a person is less likely to develop polyp cancer for minimum 5 years. Hence, a majority of people require colonoscopy test once in a decade and only few individuals with larger as well as serious polyps require more often in every 5 years.

The safety of colonoscopy lies on age factor of a person. Colon cancer screening via colonoscopy should start at 50 years of age for a large number of people. In case colonoscopy fails to identify cancer or adenomas and individuals do not have any risk factor, doctors recommend the next test in ten years age. Hence, with the removal of only one or two small and low risk type of adenomas, as mentioned before, individuals have to repeat the examination in between 5 and 10 years.

Colonoscopy Test in Case of Other Diseases: You should discuss with your doctor about how often and when you should undergo for colonoscopy test in case you suffer from inflammatory bowel problem. In addition, you should ask the doctor if you have a history of large, multiple and high-risk adenomas or any of your child, sibling or parent had adenomas or colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy Test involves Minor Risks: Colonoscopy test is a safe procedure when specially trained and experienced doctors perform it. However, there is a minor risk related to reaction of drugs prescribed/injected during the actual test. In a majority of cases, you will get medications to counteract any side effect. The diagnose procedure involves a rare complication i.e. perforation or tearing of the intestinal lining. If this takes place, you may require surgery for sealing of the injury. One more major risk is bleeding often from the site of polyp removal or biopsy removal.

In most of the cases, bleeding stops or comes under control without any other treatment during the actual procedure. Complications associated with colonoscopy procedure are uncommon. However, you should immediately contact with your doctor in case you feel dizziness, abdominal pain, chills or fever and observe blood in your stool.

Also Read:

Is Colonoscopy Safe?

What Colonoscopy Does?