A colonoscopy is a test done to examine the lining of the colon, or large intestine. It is done using a colonoscope, a thin flexible tube with a camera and a light on the end to allow the doctor to see the inside of the colon.
Colonoscopies are typically performed to determine the reasons for symptoms such as blood in the stool and stomach pain.
They are also recommended for people who have family history of colon cancer, and can be done to make sure that they do not have any polyps or colon cancer.
