OnCo
termsTerm

Colonoscopy

aka colonoscopies, colonoscopic, polypectomy, sigmoidoscopy

Examining the whole large bowel with a flexible camera; polyps found on the way are removed (polypectomy), which prevents most bowel cancers.

The only screening test that both detects and prevents cancer: removing adenomas cuts colorectal cancer incidence and mortality by half or more (National Polyp Study, NordICC). It is the confirmatory test after a positive stool test (FIT) or blood test, and the surveillance tool after polyp removal or resection. Quality is measured by adenoma detection rate and caecal intubation; AI polyp detection raises the former. Bowel preparation and sedation are the main deterrents to uptake.

Category
Procedures

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