SERVICES & PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ CONSULTATION ______________________________________________________________________________ COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) affects the large bowel (colon) and rectum. It is one of the most common types of cancer in Australia. ______________________________________________________________________________ COLONOSCOPY A colonoscopy is a procedure that enables your doctor to examine the lining of the colon (large bowel). Under sedation, a flexible tube is passed via the rectum (back passage) into the colon. A tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken, or polyps (growths) removed and sent to the pathologist. Colonoscopy is the best test to assess for bowel polyps or cancers, although no test is 100% accurate. Learn more about colonoscopy here. ______________________________________________________________________________ GASTROSCOPY A gastroscopy is a procedure that enables your doctor to examine the lining of the oesophagus (food pipe/gullet), stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). Under sedation a thin flexible tube is passed through your mouth into your stomach and duodenum. During the procedure, a tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken and sent to the pathologist. Learn more about gastroscopy here. ______________________________________________________________________________ CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY Capsule endoscopy is a new technology which painlessly examines the small intestine/bowel. It is used in patients with unexplained iron deficiency to determine if there is any bleeding in the small intestine. ______________________________________________________________________________ |