We ask that you temporarily alter your diet 5 days before to avoid nuts and seeds as these food items stick to the walls of your colon and are difficult to flush out with the bowel preparation. They may prevent your doctor from getting a proper visualization of your tissues & they can also damage the equipment.  Please avoid fruits & vegetables with seeds, whole grains, oatmeal, flax seed, & crunchy peanut butter in the 5 days leading up to your colonoscopy.

We ask that you do not eat any solid foods the day before your test and the day of your procedure until your scope is completed because food creates solid stool. You are on a clear fluid diet only beginning the day before your procedure so that the bowel cleanse can properly clear out your colon, allowing the doctor to be able to properly assess your colon.

A clear fluid is any type of fluid that you can see through such as water, apple juice or Jell-O. Please do not drink dairy products or drinks that you cannot clearly see through.  

Please do not consume coffee, coconut water, broth or tea while completing your cleanse.

Yes. Regardless if you experience diarrhea frequently or are petite, the bowel cleanse must be completed in full.

We ask that you do not consume anything by mouth 4 hours before your test to ensure that your stomach is empty. While under sedation, stomach contents are at risk of coming up into your lungs. This is considered a medical emergency. Fasting is for your own safety. If you do not fast, you risk your appointment being delayed and/or cancelled by our anesthesia team.

We ask that you avoid travelling out of the country or by airplane for at least 7 days after your procedure in case you experience a complication. Complications can arise, post procedure anywhere from up to 7 days after the procedure.   

A FIT test detects blood in your stool.  If you have a personal history of Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis or colon polyps, and/or a family history of colon cancer, or symptoms such as bleeding or changes in your bowel habits, then a FIT test is not appropriate for you. 

Patients deemed average risk above age of 50 without any symptoms of concern are suitable for a FIT test or a colonoscopy. It is up to you, as the patient to discuss with your family doctor which test is suitable for you. 

When in doubt, a colonoscopy is the best line of defense in preventing colon cancer. It allows a good visual of the tissues and the ability to remove small polyps before they develop into cancer, which would not be identified on a FIT test.

If a FIT test result comes back positive, that means there is blood present in your stool. A colonoscopy must be performed urgently to determine where the blood is coming from. This is no necessarily indicative of cancer, or may indicate hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis or large polyps. Your family physician can refer to OGI’s RAS (Rapid Access Service) to ensure your colonoscopy will be prioritized and completed within weeks.

Polyps are growths that can form in the colon. There are several different types and sizes of polyps. Some are harmless and some have the potential to turn into cancer.  During a colonoscopy, your doctor will remove the polyps they find & send them to the laboratory for analysis. Removing them in the smaller stages prevents them from growing & potentially forming into cancer.

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Once you’ve had polyps, you will be scheduled for colonoscopies at regular intervals to prevent the development of cancer.

Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term used to describe two different disorders that affect the GI tract.  Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are disorders that involve chronic inflammation in the GI tract. Prolonged untreated inflammation can lead to damage of the GI tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloody stool.

Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder than can affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the rectum, but it most commonly affects the small bowel & beginning of the large intestine.

Crohn’s Disease tends to have relapsing and remitting flare-ups and require on-going follow up by a gastroenterologist.

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that only affects the large intestine and rectum. It is characterized by inflammation and ulcers that line the intestine.

Ulcerative Colitis tends to have relapsing and remitting flare-ups and require on-going follow up by a gastroenterologist.

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum. Occasionally, hemorrhoids can bleed, especially after frequent or large bowel movements.  There are treatments available to manage symptoms from hemorrhoids.

As we age, the walls of our colon weaken, forming pouches known as “diverticuli”. These pouches or diverticuli can fill with stool & cause pain. It is a common condition; approximately 50% of the population has diverticulosis after the age of 60.

Occasionally, these pouches become infected (known as diverticulitis) and will require antibiotic treatment.  If you’ve had a recent flare up of diverticulitis, your colonoscopy should be delayed until you’ve recovered.