Gastro- and Colonoscopy

60.000 people in Germany are diagnosed with colon cancer yearly. This makes it the third most prevalent cancer after breast cancer and prostate cancer. Official recommendations are for every female to have a colonoscopy as of 55 years of age, males are recommended to have one as of 50 years of age. German insurance companies cover this. In case of existing family history (colon cancer in parents, siblings or children) it should be done even earlier in life. Anal bleeding can be a sign of cancer but sometimes blood is also hidden inside the stool, so-called ‘occult blood’. A yearly immunological stool test (IFOB) can detect this. Nevertheless, colonoscopy is the safest diagnostic tool to detect early colon cancer. The earlier it is diagnosed the better are therapy options and prognosis

Dr. Popovich has many years of endoscopic experience. She examines our patients in cooperation with ‘Elisabethinum’ at Glockengießerwall.

Preparation

The colon needs to be completely emptied of stool and food residue in order to meticulously examine the mucosa. To achieve this we advise a colon cleanse with Moviprep or Citrafleet.

3 days before the colonoscopy we ask you to refrain from eating foods containing little seeds such as linseed, tomatoes or grape seeds.

1 day before the colonoscopy you may have a low-fibre breakfast, for lunch only clear soup or broth. Following that, the colon cleanse with 2-3 litres of clear fluid begins.

Medications such as oral contraceptives may lose their efficacy through this process. Blood-thinning medication such as Aspirin, Eliquis, Xarelto etc. need to be paused in consultation with your family physician or cardiologist.

Diabetics who require insulin will need to consult with their family physician about reducing the insulin dose during this time as well.

Aftercare

Usually, you will receive mild sedation with Propofol during the colonoscopy. This allows you to sleep while still breathing on your own. Breathing and circulation will be continuously monitored.

After the procedure you will continue to be monitored in the recovery room until you are fully awake and feeling normal again. Nevertheless you are advised not to drive a car or handle machines that day. We recommend having someone pick you up after the procedure.

 
 

 

Praxis für Coloproktologie

Colonnaden 3, 20354 Hamburg