Gastroenterology / Endoscopy
Colonoscopy
Reduce your risk of bowel disease and cancer, exercise, eat well and do the poo test regularly
Colonoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). He or she uses a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope to look at the colon. A colonoscopy is usually performed to investigate any recent changes in bowel habits, bleeding from the rectum (back passage), abdominal pain or prolonged diarrhoea, and to screen for early signs of bowel cancer. It is done to make or confirm a diagnosis.
What you need to know before you have a colonoscopy
Your Rights - You have the right to have you procedure to be completed by a qualified and well trained doctor, at the right time and in the right way. You need to know why the doctors wants to examine your bowl and received clear, written explanation (report), so you and your GP know what was found and what to do next.
Your Choices - Be inform about the things you can do you reduce your risks of future bowel disease. You have the choice to go ahead with the procedure, now or later or choose other options with your doctor. Discuss the medicine you can have to relax you.
Your Responsibility - You have the responsibility to always tell your doctor about your health, your life style and any cancer in your family. You need to ensure your bowel is empty for the procedure. To do this, you need to follow the diet guidelines and bowel preparations you have been given. If you do not drink all of the sachets given to you, you may need to have another colonoscopy.
Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy (or endoscopy) is an examination of the oesophagus (gullet or food pipe), stomach and duodenum (upper part of the small bowel) using a flexible telescope called a gastroscope. A gastroscopy is usually done to investigate the cause of abdominal pain, vomiting or bleeding from the digestive tract, and to make or confirm a diagnosis. Conditions can also sometimes also be treated via gastroscopy — for example, polyps can be removed.
Patient information
Please see below information sheets from the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
