Colonoscopy Screening In Singapore

What Is A Colonoscopy Screening Procedure?  

A colonoscopy screening is a procedure done to examine the inside your large intestine (inclusive of your colon, rectum, and anus). During the examination, your doctor uses an endoscope. It is a flexible tube with a lighted camera at the end that is inserted into your body. The camera sends pictures of your large intestine to a screen in the operating theatre. Special tools may also be passed through the endoscope with which the doctor removes tissues for testing or for treatment.

When Might You Need A Colonoscopy Screening?

Colorectal cancer is the most common form of cancer in Singapore for both men and women. Most colorectal cancers develop from adenomatous polyps. It takes about 5 to 10 years for adenomatous polyps to become malignant. However, they are also relatively asymptomatic, and thus may be missed without screening. During colonoscopy screening, if such polyps are detected, they can be removed, thus mitigating against the chances of cancer developing.

The risk of contracting this cancer increases with age. It is recommended that people aged 50 and above with no elevated risk factors for colorectal cancer undergo colonoscopy to screen for the disease once every 10 years. People with risk factors should screen more regularly.

Colonoscopy Screening In Singapore – The Procedures

Preparation For Your Colonoscopy

The preparation before your colonoscopy is very important as it determines the success of your colonoscopy procedure. You will receive thorough instructions from your doctor in the days preceding your consultation. These measures are taken to ensure that your large intestine is as free of debris and clear for your colonoscopy. Your doctor may not be able to see what they need to see if there is matter still in the large intestine on the day of the procedure. Failure to complete the preparations might necessitate the rescheduling of the colonoscopy screening, and you will need to repeat these preparations at a later date.

During Your Colonoscopy

During your colonoscopy, you will either receive a sedation or anaesthesia to ease the pain. You will be lying comfortably in the foetal position during the procedure, and you might even nod off. Your colon should not hurt when you are sedated. This will be the case even if the doctor performs tissue removal during the screening. When the colonoscope enters your colon, however, you may experience some minor gas discomfort or pressure. That is because the colonoscope inflates your colon with carbon dioxide gas to improve vision.

After Your Colonoscopy

It usually takes about an hour for you to recover from the sedative after the procedure. However, you should have someone to take you home, because most sedatives can take up to one whole day to completely wear off from your system and it would not be safe for you to drive.

You might feel bloated or relief gas for the first few hours after the procedure. Taking a walk can help you to relieve any feeling of discomfort.

With your first bowel movement after colonoscopy, you may also experience a small amount of blood. Typically, this is not a cause for concern. If you have fever, recurring abdomen pain, or blood or blood clots in your stools, however, you should see your doctor at once. Although unusual, complications could happen within the first few days following the procedure, but it could also take up to a week or two.

Further Reading On Colorectal Cancer