Colonoscopy

Who Should Go for a Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy screening in Singapore is recommended for individuals who have the following risk factors of colorectal cancer:

• Age: People who are 50 years old and above are generally recommended to undergo colonoscopy services in Singapore once every 10 years (if results come back negative and they have no other risk factors).
• History of polyps: Patients who were found to have colon or rectal polyps in the past will need to have a follow-up colonoscopy procedure in Singapore. This will allow the colonoscopy doctor to check if any new polyps have grown, and to remove them immediately before they possibly turn malignant.
• History of colon cancer: People who have had colon or rectal cancer before are required to undergo a colonoscopy more frequently as advised by their doctor, to ensure that the cancer does not recur.

• Family history: People with a family history of colon cancer are advised to go through a colonoscopy earlier and more frequently as they are at a higher risk of developing the same condition.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, will need to have a colonoscopy more regularly. This is so as IBD inflames the colon and results in constant cell turnover in the intestinal lining. When this happens, the chances of cell irregularities increase, and so too does the risk of cancer.
• Symptoms of colon cancer: People who notice signs and symptoms of colon cancer, such as prolonged abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, weakness, and unexplained weight loss may also need to undergo a colonoscopy to confirm if it is cancer, or something else.

FAQs

The results of a colonoscopy can either be positive or negative. Positive results mean that there are polyps or abnormal tissues in the colon, which need further assessment, while a negative result means that there are no polyps or abnormalities found. Most polyps are not cancerous, but some can be precancerous. Polyps removed during colonoscopy will be sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine whether they are cancerous, precancerous or noncancerous.

Most of the time, patients will only experience some temporary bloating afterwards. If the procedure involved removal of polyps, full recovery may take a week and patients should avoid strenuous activities during that period of time.

A colonoscopy service usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to be done. Another 2-3 hours may be needed so that patients can rest and recover. Once cleared by their doctor, patients can be discharged to go home within the day itself.

The cost of a colonoscopy in Singapore differs, depending on its purpose (diagnostic or therapeutic), hospital fees, doctor’s fee, anaesthesia and whether it is performed at a public or private hospital. The patient’s insurance coverage and Medisave will also impact the final amount. Do check with the colonoscopy clinic or hospital directly for personalised and accurate advice on cost.

Yes, a colonoscopy is generally covered by private insurance, the amount depending on the policy purchased. Additionally, the procedure is also covered by Medisave for Singaporean citizens and PRs.