People aged 50 years who do not have any symptoms should have their first colonoscopy or be treated as recommended by their doctor if symptoms are found. If no abnormalities are found after colonoscopy, regular faecal occult blood tests or colonoscopy should be performed as recommended by your doctor.

People of all ages are at risk of colorectal cancer and should seek medical advice and examination as soon as possible if they have:

• Bloody stools
• Anemia
• Change in bowel habit (constipation and diarrhoea happening alternately)
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Unexplained abdominal pain
• Polyps, abnormal cells

Colonoscopy uses a soft, flexible, bendable endoscope of approximately 1.3cm diameter to pass through the anus for colon lining examination. The doctor will observe the colonic condition in a monitor and at the same time perform procedures, such as hemostasis, polyp removal, hemorrhoid’s ligation, injection, while tissues can be extracted for laboratory tests during the process which can be completed in about half to an hour.

Patients must take the low-fiber meal and bowel-cleansing medication 3 days prior the check, and fast 6 hours before the colonoscopy so that the doctor can examine more accurately the lesions in the lining of the colon.

The patient should inform the doctor of any medication currently taking (particularly for diabetes or that could affect blood clotting), or the suspect or confirmed pregnancy before the examination so that the doctor is aware of the patient’s condition.

After the colonoscopy, the patient will be taken to the recovery room for a rest to wait for the effects of the anesthesia and sedatives to wear off before you can get up, move around, and eat. Generally speaking, it takes 1 to 2 hours for the effects to wear off.

Patients are advised to avoid operating heavy machinery, signing legal documents or driving for 24 hours after the examination.

If a polyp is removed during a colonoscopy, the patient may experience mild blood in the stool for the next 1 to 2 days, which is usually normal. It is recommended to observe the situation and seek medical assistance if any discomfort occurs or complications are suspected.