If you have eligible private hospital insurance, your colonoscopy procedure at Direct Endoscopy is covered, subject to your level of hospital cover. In most cases, this means there are no out-of-pocket costs for the procedure, and your insurer settles the bill directly with us. If your policy includes an excess or co-payment that has not yet been met, this may be payable. Our team can quickly check your insurance and confirm whether your procedure is fully covered.

In most cases, you will need a referral from your GP or specialist before having a colonoscopy. A referral helps confirm why the procedure is being recommended, such as bowel symptoms, a positive bowel screening test, previous polyps, family history or another medical concern.

You should speak with your GP if you have symptoms such as rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, a persistent change in bowel habits, unexplained abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss or iron deficiency anaemia. Your GP may also recommend a colonoscopy if you have a positive bowel screening test, previous bowel polyps or a family history of bowel cancer.

No. A positive bowel screening test does not necessarily mean you have bowel cancer. It means blood has been detected in the stool sample and the cause should be investigated. Possible causes include haemorrhoids, inflammation, bowel polyps and bowel cancer. Your GP may recommend a colonoscopy to check the bowel more closely.

Most patients are comfortable during the procedure because sedation or anaesthesia is used. Some people may feel bloated, gassy or mildly uncomfortable afterwards because air is used to gently expand the bowel during the examination. This usually settles as the air passes.

Yes, many bowel polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy. Not all polyps become cancer, but some can change over time. Removing polyps and sending them for pathology testing can help reduce future risk and guide your doctor’s advice about follow-up or surveillance colonoscopy.

The procedure itself is usually relatively short, but you should allow extra time for admission, preparation checks, sedation and recovery. The total time at the hospital or day procedure centre can vary, so our team will let you know what to expect before your appointment.

Colonoscopy is usually performed with sedation or anaesthesia so that you are comfortable during the procedure. Many patients have little or no memory of the procedure afterwards. Because sedation is used, you will need someone to take you home and you should not drive for the rest of the day.

Colonoscopy is used to help detect and diagnose the presence of bowel cancer, inflammation (Colitis or Crohn’s disease),  remove polyps (abnormal tissue growth), and other abnormalities inside the bowel. Tissue samples (biopsies) are often obtained from a colonoscopy procedure, which are then sent to laboratories to determine whether cancer is present in the bowels.

A colonoscopy may be recommended when your doctor needs to investigate bowel symptoms, follow up an abnormal screening result, or monitor your risk of bowel cancer and bowel polyps.

Common reasons for having a colonoscopy include:

• A positive faecal occult blood test, also called an FOBT or bowel screening test
• Persistent changes in bowel habits, such as ongoing diarrhoea or constipation
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
• Ongoing abdominal pain or unexplained digestive symptoms
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unexplained iron deficiency anaemia
• A family history of bowel cancer
• Previous bowel polyps or abnormal tissue found during an earlier colonoscopy

Positive FOBT or bowel screening result

In Australia, eligible people aged 45 to 74 can take part in bowel cancer screening every two years. People aged 50 to 74 are generally sent a free home test kit, while people aged 45 to 49 can request their first free kit.

The test looks for tiny traces of blood in the stool, which may be an early sign of bowel cancer or other bowel conditions. If your result is positive, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to investigate the cause.

Family history of bowel cancer

If a close family member has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, you may have a higher risk than the general population. Your doctor may recommend bowel screening or colonoscopy earlier than usual, depending on your family history and individual risk factors.

Previous bowel polyps

If you have previously had bowel polyps or abnormal tissue removed, your doctor may recommend follow-up colonoscopies at regular intervals. The timing can vary depending on the number, size and type of polyps found, so your specialist will advise what is appropriate for you.

You will need to follow bowel preparation instructions before your colonoscopy. This usually involves changing your diet for a short period, drinking clear fluids and taking bowel preparation medication. Good preparation is important because the bowel needs to be clean so the specialist can clearly see the bowel lining.

If the bowel is not clean enough, it can be harder to see polyps or other changes. In some cases, the procedure may need to be repeated earlier than planned. Following the preparation instructions carefully can reduce the chance of this happening.

Some medications may need special instructions before colonoscopy, including blood-thinning medication, diabetes medication, iron tablets and some supplements. Do not stop prescribed medication without medical advice. Let your GP and the clinic know what you take so you can receive the right instructions before your procedure.

A colonoscopy is performed by specialist gastroenterologists, usually in day hospital settings.

Prior to the colonoscopy, you’ll be instructed to lie on your side and be administered an anesthetic or sedative injection. You will not experience any significant discomfort during the procedure.

After the anaesthetic has taken effect, your doctor will gently insert a flexible tube with a very small camera attached to the end (known as a colonoscope) into your anus, up the rectum and colon. Small amounts of air will be pumped to allow for better movement – this may cause a feeling of abdominal pressure but it will not be painful.

The camera attached to the colonoscope will then transmit images onto a video monitor, which your doctor will observe to perform the colonoscopy.

If abnormalities are found, a small tissue sample or biopsy will be acquired for laboratory testing (to identify whether there is the existence of cancer).

A colonoscopy can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on any additional procedures needed such as getting a tissue sample or removing polyps (growths that can potentially develop into cancer). Generally, you won’t have much recollection of the procedure after the anaesthetic has worn off.

Colonoscopy is generally considered a safe and commonly performed procedure when carried out by trained specialists in an appropriate medical setting. Like any medical procedure, it does have some risks, but serious complications are uncommon. Your doctor will consider your medical history, medications and reason for the procedure before recommending colonoscopy.

Most people have a colonoscopy without serious problems. Possible risks include bloating, cramping, nausea, bleeding after biopsy or polyp removal, reaction to sedation, or, rarely, a tear in the bowel wall. Your specialist will explain the risks that apply to your situation before the procedure.

A small amount of bleeding may occur if a biopsy is taken or a polyp is removed. However, you should seek medical advice promptly if you have heavy bleeding, repeated bleeding, black stools, severe abdominal pain, fever, dizziness or feel very unwell after the procedure.

Bowel perforation, or a tear in the bowel wall, is a rare but serious complication of colonoscopy. The risk may be higher if large polyps are removed, if there is severe inflammation, or if the procedure is technically difficult. Your doctor will discuss this risk with you if it is relevant to your procedure.

Colonoscopy is usually performed with sedation or anaesthesia to keep you comfortable. Sedation is generally safe for most patients, but it can carry risks, especially for people with heart, lung or other significant medical conditions. You will be monitored during the procedure, and you should tell the clinic about your medical history, allergies and medications before your appointment.

After a colonoscopy, seek medical advice promptly if you develop severe or worsening abdominal pain, heavy rectal bleeding, fever, chills, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, black stools or symptoms that feel unusual or concerning. Mild bloating or wind pain can occur after the procedure and usually settles, but severe or persistent symptoms should not be ignored.

Your doctor would generally recommend colonoscopy when the expected benefit of investigating your symptoms or test results outweighs the potential risks. Colonoscopy can help detect bowel cancer, polyps, inflammation and other bowel conditions. If you are unsure why colonoscopy has been recommended, ask your GP or specialist to explain the reason and the alternatives.