An Effective Screening Method for Early Detection of Colon Cancer
This is because colorectal cancer tends to be a very slow-progressing cancer in its initial stages, with ample time and opportunity to easily detect and intervene before entering a more aggressive advanced stage.
What is a Colonoscopy
Used to view the insides of the colon and rectum in real-time, a colonoscope (a thin, long tube with a small light and camera at the end) is gently inserted into the anus and through the colon.
As the colonoscope projects its images in real-time onto a screen, any polyps that are found during the process will be swiftly removed by the colorectal surgeon, typically through a simple wire loop.
Does Having Polyps Mean I Have Cancer?
Should it be a precancerous polyp—which it is in around two-thirds of cases—the removal of that polyp would have prevented it from potentially turning cancerous in the future.
However, you will be asked to get screened again at shorter intervals to ensure that no new polyps form.
How Often Do I Have to Get a Colonoscopy?
In individuals who do not have other risk factors for colon cancer apart from age, regular screenings every 10 years after the age of 50 is recommended.
In individuals with other risk factors, such as a family or personal history with colon cancer and/or polyps, they will be required to start screening earlier and more frequently.
What are the Risks of a Colonoscopy?
The main risk of a colonoscopy procedure is that of colon perforation. However, as an established procedure and under the hands of an experienced colon cancer surgeon, the risks are very low.
What Can I Expect Before, During & After a Colonoscopy?
A stool sample is collected and the purpose is to look for blood in the stool.
Polyps do not always cause bleeding, so it may miss the presence of certain polyps and may even miss detecting cancer altogether.
It is less invasive, but also less accurate. Furthermore, even if blood is detected, a colonoscopy will still have to be performed to locate and possibly treat the abnormality causing it.
Imaging technology are used to generate multi-dimensional images of the colon after the patient is positioned in various ways in order to obtain a full picture.
Small polyps may be missed.
It is less invasive, but also less accurate. Furthermore, its preparation process is the same as that of a regular colonoscopy— a colon cleanse with laxatives. A colonoscopy may also be recommended to confirm any abnormalities found.
A special solution of barium is poured into the patient’s colon through the anus. The solution that coats the lining of the colon will be visible under imaging scans.
Polyps or even cancer may be sometimes missed.
It is less invasive, but also less accurate. Furthermore, its preparation process is the same as that of a regular colonoscopy —a colon cleanse with laxatives. A colonoscopy may also be recommended to confirm any abnormalities found. Lastly, this is done without sedation.
Our Colorectal Cancer Specialists
Dr Dennis Koh
Medical Director & Senior Consultant Surgeon
B Med Sci (Nottingham), MBBS (Nottingham)
MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS
Dr Dennis Koh is a MOH-accredited and experienced colorectal surgeon; and currently the Medical Director at Colorectal Practice.
Dr Koh strives to provide a customized treatment plan for each patient, which allows for better outcomes. He also honed his skills in proctology abRd in Geneva, bringing a more diverse touch to his practice.
Dr Sharon Koh Zhiling
Senior Consultant Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery),
FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS
Dr Sharon Koh is an experienced colorectal surgeon and the former Director of Endoscopy at Alexandra Health.
Dr Koh completed her fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in the US after being awarded the Academic Medicine Development Award by the National University Hospital.
Dr Pauleon Tan Enjiu
Senior Consultant Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery),
FRCS (Edinburgh), FACS
Dr Pauleon Tan has served in public hospitals for over 15 years and is experienced in minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy.
Dr Tan undertook advanced colorectal surgical training at Japan’s Saitama International Medical Center after being awarded the Ministry of Health – Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) Award.