Colonoscopy is an examination of paramount importance in diagnosing and preventing colon polyps and rectal cancer (Stark et al., 2020). The prevalence of colon cancer increases, especially in the age group over 40-50 years:
- To perform this procedure, a long, flexible tubular instrument is used, having a camera at its distal end, which projects a real-time image onto a monitor.
- This investigation is performed on an outpatient basis, under anesthesia, so that a person does not feel pain or discomfort during the procedure.
- Endoscopy in specially prepared centers performed by a professional ensures the safety and accuracy of the results of the investigation.
The importance of colonoscopy for the treatment of diseases:
- Monitoring of polyps and timely prevention of their growth;
- Studying unexplained abdominal symptoms and making an accurate diagnosis.
The importance of colonoscopy for disease prevention:
- Early diagnosis of macroscopic lesions;
- Earlier determination of any changes in the usual work of the intestine.
The endoscope moves from the rectum to the small intestine during a colonoscopy (Pandey & Srivastava, 2021). Thus, the entire colon is examined in detail. It is also possible to insert a colonoscope into the small intestine if necessary. This allows one to identify any diseases in the early stages. Early detection of the disease greatly facilitates and simplifies treatment.
References
Pandey, A., & Srivastava, S. (2021). Recent advances in cancer diagnostics and therapy: A nano-based approach. CRC Press. Web.
Stark, U. A., Frese, T., Unverzagt, S., & Bauer, A. (2020). What is the effectiveness of various invitation methods to a colonoscopy in the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer? Protocol of a systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 9(49), 11-27. Web.