Why it's done
What a colonoscopy is looking for
A colonoscopy can be done to look for a number of things.
The cause of your bowel symptoms
A colonoscopy is often done to check what's causing your bowel symptoms, such as:
- bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo
- diarrhoea or constipation that does not go away
- losing weight or feeling really tired for no reason
Most of the time it will not find anything to worry about.
But sometimes it might find something that needs a closer look or further testing.
Growths in your bowels (polyps)
Lots of people have growths in their bowels, and most of the time they're harmless. But they can sometimes become cancer, so if they're found they need to be checked.
They can be removed during the colonoscopy and tested.
Your results will tell you if you need any further tests or treatment.
Signs of bowel conditions
A colonoscopy can be used to look for bowel conditions like:
These conditions can be hard to diagnose, so you may also have other tests.
You can get more information and support from:
- healthtalk.org – listen to people's experiences of having a colonoscopy
- Crohn's & Colitis UK
- Bowel Cancer UK
Page last reviewed: Tue Jun 2022 Next review due: Wed Feb 2020
