Indeed, colonoscopy reveals prostate cancer, but I believe this is a truncated definition. It would be best to say that colonoscopy reveals prostate cancer and many other afflictions. But let’s start with the beginning.

What is colonoscopy and what does it do? - Colonoscopy is the method that explores endoluminally, in real image, the anal area, rectum, the sigmoid, the descendent, the transverse, the ascending colon, and checks the ileocecal valve. Routinely, the last ileal ansa is checked as well. As for the upper digestive tract endoscopy, colonoscopy is intended to diagnose, but also to treat: biopsy performance, coloring within the cavity, hemostasis bleeding lesions, mucosectomy, dilated stenosis, insertion of stents in critical occlusions with intestinal obstruction, etc.

Like any exploratory endoscopy, colonoscopy has a high rate of effectiveness in diagnosis, over 95%. In addition, the development of the screening (prevention) concept for colon cancer gave new dimensions to this type of exploration, especially for procedures to be applied in ambulatory conditions.

Before the medical procedure the endoscopist will explain in detail the procedure. It is a very detailed exploration of the large intestine starting at the rectum and to the small intestine using a device as a thin flexible tube (about 10mm) called endoscope (colonoscope), equipped with a tiny camera and with a light source, which transmits images from inside the gut to a monitor where the information is read and recorded on DVD.

What is the use of colonoscopy (current indications)?  - With colonoscopy you can identify lesions of the colon (large intestine). Usually this exploration will be done in the following clinical situations:
-blood in feces (hematochezia);
-persistent intestinal transit disorders (constipation, diarrhea and especially alternating between constipation and diarrhea);
-abdominal pain with unspecified causes, especially in people over 45;
-family history of colon cancer or digestive tube problems;
-family history of colon polyps;
-several modified laboratory analyses, with an unclear cause (low blood iron, modified inflammation testes, etc.);
-a value above normal in tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9);
-screening (in patients without symptoms, for the prevention or early detection of possible colon cancer, respectively colon polyps). In many western states colonoscopy screening after age 40-45 years of age has become common practice, as a result of extensive statistical studies which concluded that this is the best way to prevent colorectal cancer - by identifying and removing the colonic polyps that generate colon cancer.

How long does the procedure take?  - Exploration itself lasts an average of 15-20 minutes, but the time varies significantly depending on the individual conformation of the colon, the presence or absence of past surgery on the abdomen, etc. During this examination there can also be a biopsy performed, if there are injuries that require it. Biopsy sampling is done only with patient consent, or with the consent of the legal guardian if the patient is under sedation.  The total time required by the procedure is about 60 min, including consultation and sedation, and the explanation of the results, which you will receive immediately.