Colonoscopy
Our Approach to Colonoscopy
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in the US. Screening is recommended starting at age 45 - earlier for those at high risk. A colonoscopy can prevent cancer by removing polyps.
While colonoscopy is a common procedure, where you get your colonoscopy matters. Our program is one of a very few in the U.S. to have advanced technologies and a comprehensive Quality Assurance Program that well exceeds national standards for:
• procedure preparation
• an exam that goes the full length of the colon
• a thorough exam that takes its time
• detecting polyps that have a chance of becoming cancer
What We Offer You for Colonoscopy
- Specialized expertise that exceeds all national benchmarks for quality of colon cancer screening and detecting polyps to prevent colon cancer. Go to About Colonoscopy
- Advanced diagnostic and treatment options ranging from risk-assessment, minimally invasive procedures, genetic testing and routine endoscopic screening to Go to Conditions Treated
- Patient-focused care to help you prepare well for thorough screening evaluations that also focus on your comfort and needs. Go to What to Expect
- Ease of access to experts at the forefront of pioneering research, the latest diagnostic tools and treatments for GI conditions and cancers, as well as access to convenient locations around the Bay Area, acceptance of self-referrals, and the ability to see multiple specialists in a single visit. Go to Our Clinics
What Is A Colonoscopy?
The most effective way to reduce your risk of colon cancer is with screening, which can include a screening colonoscopy, or a colonoscopy to follow-up on an abnormal stool-based screening test, such as a fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
A colonoscopy can diagnose a wide range of colon conditions that cause symptoms.
A colonoscopy is also important for people without symptoms. Colorectal polyps are more common with age. These growths can sometimes become cancerous. You can’t feel polyps or early-stage colorectal cancer, which is why screening is so important. Removing polyps significantly lowers cancer risk.
Our team’s Colonoscopy Quality Assurance Program ensures you will undergo a high-quality procedure that maximizes the chance that we can prevent cancer.
Colonoscopy Quality Assurance Program
Guidelines now recommend screening start at age 45
Our program far exceeds national benchmarks:
- Adenoma detection rate (ADR): the higher the rate at which we find polyps (adenomas) and remove them, the lower your chance of developing cancer. While the national ADR benchmark is 25%, our ADR is 44%.
- Adequate preparation rate: Your colon must be clean for us to see well and find abnormalities. While the national benchmark is 85%, our adequate preparation rate at Stanford Health Care is 94%.
- Cecal intubation rate: A complete exam all the way around to the cecum is needed for maximum prevention. While the national benchmark for a complete examination is 90% for all colonoscopies, our rate is 96%.
- Average withdrawal time: A thorough exam requires taking the time to inspect the colon carefully. While the national benchmark for time spent withdrawing the scope is 6 to 8 minutes minimum, our average withdrawal time is 15 minutes at Stanford Health Care.
While the national Adenoma detection rate (ADR) benchmark is 25%, our ADR is 44%.
What to Expect
Before
During
After
Your doctor and team will discuss colonoscopy preparation with you. Preparation involves a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure. You will need to drink a prescribed liquid to clean out the colon. A cleansed colon ensures that your endoscopist has a clear view.
Our Adequate Preparation Rate, a key colonoscopy quality measure, exceeds national benchmarks. We help you achieve a clean colon by guiding you through your bowel prep, so we can see well and find abnormalities. While the national benchmark is 85%, our Adequate Preparation Rate at Stanford Health Care is 94%.
Most people are completely comfortable and not aware they are having a procedure. You will receive a sedative to help you relax and pain medication to prevent discomfort. You lie on your left side on the exam table with your knees drawn towards your chest. The endoscopist inserts a colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached) into the rectum and advances it carefully to view the inside of your entire large intestine. If needed, your doctor may use special tools to remove polyps or to biopsy abnormalities.
Our results exceed national benchmarks for all key colonoscopy quality measures, including:
- Thorough and complete exam: A complete exam requires advancing the scope all the way around to the cecum. While the national benchmark for a complete examination is 90% for all colonoscopies, our rate is 96%.
- Time a physician spends to inspect the colon wall: Finding polyps and small cancers requires taking the time to inspect the colon fully and carefully. While the national benchmark for time spent withdrawing the scope is 6 to 8 minutes minimum, our average withdrawal time is 15 minutes at Stanford Health Care.
- Polyp detection rate (called Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR)): ADR is the most important quality metric for colonoscopy. This rate calculates how often we find and remove polyps (adenomas) that could become cancer, whenever we do a screening colonoscopy. While the national ADR benchmark is 25%, our ADR is 44%.
Most people wake up and are surprised that the procedure is over. Because you are sedated during the procedure, someone must drive you home from the appointment and stay during recovery. You should rest for the remainder of the day. Do not drive or do anything strenuous, such as exercise. You may experience some bloating, mild cramping, and gas. These symptoms are normal and will diminish over time. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you can resume a normal diet after the procedure.
We work closely with other Stanford Health Care specialists in the GI Cancer Prevention Program, Interventional Radiology, and GI Cancer Program to provide seamless care if you need additional treatment. We are committed to providing you with innovative, comprehensive care.
Your doctor and team will discuss colonoscopy preparation with you. Preparation involves a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure. You will need to drink a prescribed liquid to clean out the colon. A cleansed colon ensures that your endoscopist has a clear view.
Our Adequate Preparation Rate, a key colonoscopy quality measure, exceeds national benchmarks. We help you achieve a clean colon by guiding you through your bowel prep, so we can see well and find abnormalities. While the national benchmark is 85%, our Adequate Preparation Rate at Stanford Health Care is 94%.
close Before
Most people are completely comfortable and not aware they are having a procedure. You will receive a sedative to help you relax and pain medication to prevent discomfort. You lie on your left side on the exam table with your knees drawn towards your chest. The endoscopist inserts a colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached) into the rectum and advances it carefully to view the inside of your entire large intestine. If needed, your doctor may use special tools to remove polyps or to biopsy abnormalities.
Our results exceed national benchmarks for all key colonoscopy quality measures, including:
- Thorough and complete exam: A complete exam requires advancing the scope all the way around to the cecum. While the national benchmark for a complete examination is 90% for all colonoscopies, our rate is 96%.
- Time a physician spends to inspect the colon wall: Finding polyps and small cancers requires taking the time to inspect the colon fully and carefully. While the national benchmark for time spent withdrawing the scope is 6 to 8 minutes minimum, our average withdrawal time is 15 minutes at Stanford Health Care.
- Polyp detection rate (called Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR)): ADR is the most important quality metric for colonoscopy. This rate calculates how often we find and remove polyps (adenomas) that could become cancer, whenever we do a screening colonoscopy. While the national ADR benchmark is 25%, our ADR is 44%.
close During
Most people wake up and are surprised that the procedure is over. Because you are sedated during the procedure, someone must drive you home from the appointment and stay during recovery. You should rest for the remainder of the day. Do not drive or do anything strenuous, such as exercise. You may experience some bloating, mild cramping, and gas. These symptoms are normal and will diminish over time. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you can resume a normal diet after the procedure.
We work closely with other Stanford Health Care specialists in the GI Cancer Prevention Program, Interventional Radiology, and GI Cancer Program to provide seamless care if you need additional treatment. We are committed to providing you with innovative, comprehensive care.
close After
Our Clinics
The Stanford Digestive Health Center offers innovative treatments based on our pioneering research in gastroenterology and hepatology. Our focus is to enhance your comfort, recovery time, and overall quality of life using leading-edge care and technology for minimally invasive and traditional procedures.
420 Broadway Street, Pavilion D, 2nd Floor
420 Broadway Street, Pavilion D, 2nd FloorRedwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-736-5555 Getting Here »
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