Endoscopy

Gastroscopy is a short day procedure in which a thin flexible camera is passed through the mouth to examine the oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small bowel, allowing biopsies to be taken and some conditions to be treated.

Colonoscopy is a day procedure in which a thin flexible camera is passed through the anus to examine the lining of the entire large bowel (colon and rectum). It allows polyps to be removed and biopsies taken, and is the most accurate way of detecting bowel cancer and pre-cancerous growths.