Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the gold standard diagnostic method in which the inside of the large intestine (colon) and rectum is examined in detail with a flexible tube that has a high-resolution camera at its tip. In cases such as chronic diarrhea, unexplained constipation, sudden changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, or unexplained iron deficiency anemia, colonoscopy provides the clearest and most precise data to find the underlying cause.

However, the true value of colonoscopy comes not only from being a 'diagnostic' tool, but from serving as a 'cancer prevention' shield.

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, yet it is also one of the most preventable when intervention is made in time. This is because colon cancers almost always develop from flesh-like growths called 'polyps' that grow slowly over the years and are completely benign at the beginning.

This is where the importance of colonoscopy begins: when these polyps are detected during a routine screening colonoscopy, they are completely removed in the same session while the patient is still asleep, using the 'polypectomy' method. With this intervention, which takes only minutes, the possibility of that polyp turning into cancer years later is essentially eliminated. For this reason, even in the absence of symptoms, regular screening colonoscopy starting at age 45 is a vital necessity for every healthy individual.

Several conditions must be met for a high-quality colonoscopy procedure.

1. The bowel must be cleaned very well. To achieve this, we adjust the timing and amount of medication according to the patient's bowel habits.
2. The colonoscopy device must be high-quality and high-resolution.
3. The procedure must be performed patiently, without rushing, and in a way that covers all areas of the colon.
4. The specialist performing the colonoscopy must have sufficient knowledge and experience to evaluate the lesions encountered in the bowel.
5. To remove a detected polyp or similar lesion in the same session, the team must have the necessary equipment, materials, technical capability, and expertise.

We know that many people avoid the idea of colonoscopy because of preconceptions about bowel cleansing before the procedure (diet and laxative use) or the belief that the procedure is painful. However, in our clinic, we use current protocols to make this process as comfortable as possible. We make the preparation easier with a special diet and new-generation bowel preparation solutions; during the procedure, we ensure that our patients feel no pain, bloating, or discomfort thanks to the deep sedation administered by our experienced anesthesia team.

With the understanding of endoscopic perfectionism we have built over the years, we perform an extremely meticulous and patient examination so as not to miss even a single millimetric polyp, even in the hardest-to-reach blind spots. We share the results with our patients together with detailed images and personalize the timing of their next follow-up examinations (1, 3, 5, or 10 years) according to the pathology results of the polyps or the structure of the bowel.