Gastroscopy is currently regarded as the gold standard for examining the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. In addition to pinpointing potential lesions (ulcers, tumours), it is also used for biopsies¹.

THE REALITY IN QUEBEC

According to data provided by the Institut de la statistique du Québec 1:

In men: There are more death due to colon cancer than prostate cancer.
In women: Colon cancer is the 3rd most common type of cancer after lung and breast cancer.

Good news:  Colon cancer, when compared with breast and prostate cancer, can be prevented before it develops.

A colonoscopy is a medical technique that is used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes and involves inserting an optic tube into part of the digestive tract.

By examining the  mucous membrane in the colon, specialists can identify lesions that may be responsible for your symptoms (pain, intestinal transit problems, bleeding, etc.) and can also screen for precancerous lesions and polyps².

During the course of the examination, biopsies³ can be taken and polyps can be removed.

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1 - Institut de la statistique du Québec:  Leading causes of death 2000-2007.
2 - Polyp :  growth that protrudes from the lining of the mucous membrane that can develop into cancer.
3 - Biopsy: removal of tissue fragments from the mucous membrane with small forceps for examination under the microscope.