What Is the Colonoscopy Doctor Looking for During My Colonoscopy and What Kind of Results Are Obtained?

During the procedure, our doctors use a high-definition video screen to visualize the colon and control the movement of the colonoscope. Our doctors examine the lining of your colon as they insert and withdraw the colonoscope. If polyps are visible, they are removed using biopsy instruments or a snare. Using a technique called “snare polypectomy,” our specialists pass a wire through the colonoscope and circle the polyp at its base. Our doctors will then use an electrical current to remove the polyp from your intestinal wall. Snare polypectomy is a painless procedure.

If our specialist discovers an area that warrants further investigation, they can pass instruments through the colonoscope to retrieve a biopsy — a small tissue sample — to be analyzed. Biopsies can help identify a variety of conditions; the doctor may take one even if they don’t suspect cancer because it can help diagnose other conditions. This procedure causes no discomfort or pain and is generally well tolerated. It also provides very important information to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to be formulated. Even if the colonoscopy specialist finds nothing in the lining of your colon, this does not mean the procedure was ineffective. These results will serve as a baseline for future tests. Colonoscopy has consistently been shown to prevent colon cancer and aid in the diagnosis of a wide range of digestive diseases. Having it done for yourself is an accomplishment.