Colonoscopy

It is an internal examination of your lower large intestine including your rectum and colon. It is performed for bowel cancer screening, to check for and remove colon polyps if you've had polyps before, and to investigate bowel symptoms.

During the procedure, a long, thin, flexible tube with a video camera and light source on one end, called a colonoscope, is inserted through your anus and passed into your colon and rectum to allow your doctor to see inside. No cuts are required as the colonoscope passes through the natural opening of your anus. Air is pumped into your bowel through the colonoscope to lightly inflate it so your Consultant has a better view of your bowel.

Your doctor may insert tiny instruments through the colonoscope to take a tissue biopsy or to remove polyps or other abnormal tissue.

It can detect and monitor bowel conditions including bowel cancer, Crohn's disease, diverticular disease and diverticulitis, and ulcerative colitis.

You may be invited for a colonoscopy as part of your bowel cancer screening to help identify any signs of bowel cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat.

It may detect small growths on the inner lining of your colon or rectum, called colon polyps. These polyps do not usually turn into cancer but they may be precancerous and could eventually become cancerous. If colon polyps are found during the procedure, they are removed and the tissue is sent for laboratory analysis to determine if the polyp is cancerous.

Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to investigate bowel symptoms including:

• bleeding from your rectum
• blood, pus or mucus in your stools
• unexplained abdominal pain
• changes in your bowel habits such as long-lasting constipation and diarrhoea
• losing weight or feeling really tired for no reason

Your bowel needs to be completely empty for the procedure so that your doctor can clearly see everything inside your bowel. You will have a strong laxative before your procedure.

You will also receive advice about what you can eat or drink before the procedure as part of your procedure prep. The prep diet can vary between hospitals so please follow the instructions you are given. Some hospitals ask you to eat only low-fibre foods whilst others tell you to fast for at least a day beforehand. You must keep drinking clear liquids to avoid dehydration.

You can expect to go home a couple of hours after your test. Most patients have a sedative when having a colonoscopy that can make you feel drowsy for a while afterwards, so you will need someone to drive you home and to stay with you overnight until its effects have worn off.

You may feel bloated and have some stomach cramping for a few hours after your procedure. You can take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

If you have had a biopsy or polyp removed, you may bleed a little from your back passage for a couple of days.

The private procedure cost will depend on your chosen Ramsay hospital.

This is a guide package price that estimates the costs of your procedure. You will receive a formal quotation price following your consultation with one of our expert Consultants. This formal quote for your procedure will be valid for 60 days and includes unlimited aftercare.

We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your procedure yourself. These include:

• Interest-free finance - requires no deposit, offers the ability to pay in monthly instalments, and benefits from 0% interest
• All-inclusive Total Care - a single one-off payment at a pre-agreed price that delivers direct access to all the treatment you need for complete reassurance
• Pay as you go - a flexible funding option if your treatment costs are difficult to assess, that allows you to meet your treatment costs as and when they arise.

Colonoscopy procedure is covered by most medical insurance policies. We advise you to check with your insurance provider and obtain their written authorisation before starting your treatment.

One of the major advantages of going private for your procedure is that your appointments and treatment times are arranged to suit you and without any unnecessary waiting. This is especially important if you are in a lot of pain and don’t want to wait or if you want to avoid particular dates for treatment.

Additional benefits included in the private colonoscopy cost are:

• a choice of consultant, where possible
• rapid access to expert opinion on the best treatment for you
• unlimited aftercare