Colonoscopy | Stanford Health Care

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Know Your Risk and Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in the United States. Black Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups.

If you are 45 or older or have a higher risk of colon cancer, including a family history of the disease, it's time to get a colonoscopy—the most effective way of reducing your risk of colon cancer.

Make an Appointment View Locations

What We Offer You for Colonoscopy

• Specialized expertise from a program that exceeds national standards for colon cancer screenings. At Stanford Health Care, ours is one of only a few programs in the U.S. to offer comprehensive colonoscopies capable of detecting more polyps. Go to About Colonoscopy
• Advanced diagnostic and treatment options ranging from routine endoscopic screenings to minimally invasive procedures. We also offer genetic testing to assess your risk of colon cancer. Go to Conditions Treated

• Patient-focused care to help you prepare for a colonoscopy. Our team is by your side during and after the procedure to 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 GI cancers. We accept self-referrals, and most screenings are covered by insurance. You can get screened at convenient locations across the Bay Area. Go to Our Clinics

Our Approach to Colonoscopy

While colonoscopy is a common procedure, where you get your colonoscopy matters. Our program is one of a very few in the U.S. that uses advanced technology and has a comprehensive Quality Assurance Program. We exceed national standards for:

• Procedure preparation: Better preparation means a more thorough and accurate colonoscopy.
• Polyp detection: Our colonoscopies are capable of detecting more polyps that have a chance of becoming cancer.
• Thorough exams: We perform comprehensive colonoscopies and evaluate the full length of the colon.

What Is A Colonoscopy?

Overview Conditions Treated Techniques Overview Conditions Treated Techniques

About 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. A fair number of people (but not all people) have colorectal polyps.  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.

Guidelines now recommend screening start at age 45

Colonoscopy Quality Assurance Program

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 to find adenomas in at least 35% of patients, 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 ADR benchmark is to find adenomas in at least 35% of patients, our ADR is 44%.

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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 in how many people we find and remove polyps (adenomas) that could become cancer, whenever we do a screening colonoscopy. While the national ADR benchmark is to find adenomas in at least 35% of patients, 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.

Before

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 During

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 in how many people we find and remove polyps (adenomas) that could become cancer, whenever we do a screening colonoscopy. While the national ADR benchmark is to find adenomas in at least 35% of patients, our ADR is 44%.

close During After

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 Digestive Health Center in Redwood City

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.

Digestive Health Center in Redwood City 420 Broadway Pavilion D Fl 2 420 Broadway Pavilion D Fl 2 Redwood City, CA 94063 Phone: 650-736-5555 Getting Here MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FIND A DOCTOR OR PROVIDER

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To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-736-5555.

For Emeryville, please call: 510-806-2100.

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