Colorectal cancer can be insidiously sneaky. In the early stage, it often has no symptoms—meaning that once you experience symptoms, the cancer has most likely established and moved into more dangerous stages. A colonoscopy works as a preventative measure to help us ensure the health of your colon and bowel.
Most often, a colonoscopy can discover the presence of polyps, which are unusual tissue growths on the lining of your colon. Sometimes polyps can become cancerous.
Colonoscopies are most frequently used as a preventative screening. However, it’s also used when you’re experiencing issues such as:
Presence of blood in your stool.
Changes in bowel performance (chronic constipation or diarrhea).
Ongoing abdominal pain.
Frequent indigestion.
Unexplained weight loss.
Stool that exhibits abnormal coloring or unusual appearance.