Does a Colonoscopy procedure examine my whole colon or just a part of it?
My health care provider said their normal exam didn’t cover the whole colon. Why not? How can a Colonoscopy procedure be certain unless the whole area is tested?
Healthcare Providers (3)
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You understand and agree that use of the Website does not in any way create or establish a physician-patient privilege or physician-patient relationship between you and any Medical Professional Member. You should recognize that the information provided on the Website (including past questions and answers and articles posted on the site) is provided for your general information. These materials should not be relied on as medical advice and reading and reviewing them is not a substitute for direct consultation with a medical professional about a specific medical problem.
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Yes. The Colonoscopy will not only examine your entire colon, but remove polyps, allowing sampling of abnormal areas with no discomfort. It is a safe and effective test both for cancer detection and removal of even minimally advanced cancers. It is possible for an unclean colon to prevent full exam. Make sure you follow prep instructions.
The Colonoscopy examines your entire colon. But it does not evaluate your small bowel or stomach or esophagus.
The whole colon is usually examined, but it also depends on the prep quality.