our endoscopic services / Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is an outpatient screening procedure that allows your gastroenterologist to carefully examine and look inside your large intestine, also known as the colon (large intestine).
This allows for the detection and removal of abnormal growths like polyps and provides a clear view of the colon to investigate symptoms such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic constipation, or chronic diarrhoea.
In Singapore, colonoscopy screening plays a vital role in the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. The most commonly diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of cancer death locally, with over 1,800 new cases reported each year.
Most colorectal cancers begin as benign polyps, which can silently grow over time.
A timely colonoscopy procedure not only detects these polyps early but can also remove them during the same session, significantly reducing cancer risk.
For those seeking a colonoscopy doctor in Singapore, choosing an experienced specialist ensures a safe, thorough, and accurate screening experience.
You may need a colonoscopy if you’re experiencing persistent digestive symptoms or if your doctor suspects an underlying condition affecting your colon. In Singapore, a colonoscopy procedure is one of the tools available to diagnose and manage a range of gastrointestinal issues.
If you’re unsure whether you need a colonoscopy, it’s best to speak with a trusted specialist. Our experienced team includes our colonoscopy doctor Dr Tan Poh Seng in Singapore, committed to providing accurate diagnosis and personalised care.
If you belong to one of the following categories, you may have a higher risk of colorectal cancer, and its best to perform routine colonoscopies to rule out any potential serious health conditions:
Colonoscopy screening is often regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for catching and preventing colorectal cancer. Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide, including Singapore. Quick identification is absolutely critical to defeating colorectal cancer.
If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should start getting a colonoscopy earlier.
A colonoscopy is typically an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll be able to go home the same day. Read here on our blog on preparing for your colonoscopy.
You’ll receive anaesthesia (moderate or deep sedation) before the procedure to prepare you for the investigation. You will be sleeping during the procedure and will feel no pain.
Your endoscopist will carefully insert the colonoscopy into your anus. A small camera is mounted to the colonoscope which will send a video image to a monitor screen. Your gastroenterologist will then guide the scope gently around the bends of the colon.
Your gastroenterologist will then examine your colon during the process, and may also remove colon polyps and sample abnormal tissue, which will be evaluated further in the lab.
The recovery period from the anaesthesia will take about 30 mins to an hour, depending on the type of sedation. You will be able to resume normal activities the next day. The doctor will then arrange for any follow-ups if necessary.
A colonoscopy procedure in Singapore is generally very safe when performed by an experienced gastroenterologist. However, like any medical procedure, there are potential risks involved, though they are uncommon.
Possible complications may include:
If you experience persistent abdominal pain, fever, heavy bleeding, or dizziness after your colonoscopy screening, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
After your colonoscopy procedure, your gastroenterologist will review the findings with you. If no abnormalities are found, you may not need another screening for several years, depending on your personal risk factors.
If polyps or suspicious tissue were removed during the procedure, these will be sent to a lab for further analysis. Lab results usually take a few days, and your doctor will follow up with you to explain the findings.
Possible colonoscopy outcomes may include:
Your doctor will advise on the next steps based on your results. Early detection of issues like colorectal cancer or polyps can significantly improve treatment outcomes, which is why routine colonoscopy screening in Singapore is highly recommended for those aged 50 and above, or earlier if you’re in a high-risk group.
And many more!
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Personalised and tailored e treatment plans helmed by Dr Tan Poh Seng with wealth of gastroenterology experience and expertise.
Endoscopic procedures such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy are personally performed by Dr Tan who has carried out thousands of these endoscopies.
Our clinic is conveniently located at Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital.
A colonoscopy, performed by a qualified and experienced gastroenterologist, is a very safe procedure that involves minimal discomfort for the patient. Although there is a risk of perforation and bleeding, it is extremely rare, occurring in 1 in every 1000 cases.
No. The colonoscopy is performed under general anaesthesia. As you will be asleep, you will not experience any pain at all. However, after the procedure, some patients may feel some bloatedness.
It depends on your risk levels for contracting colon cancer, along with any other medical conditions. However, after a polyp-free colonoscopy, most people won’t need another one for the next 5 to 10 years.
3 Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, #16-02, Singapore 228510
3 Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, #16-02, Singapore 228510
Here at PS Tan Digestive & Liver Centre, we are dedicated to providing quality healthcare and endoscopic services to all our patients. We’re on a quest to lower colorectal cancer rates and to effectively treat a wide range of digestive diseases.
