Hi, I'm an endoscopy nurse, I just wanted to offer a little reassurance that the majority of patients that we see with your symptoms do not have cancer. Happy to answer any questions about colonoscopy if I can. 

Thank you so much.... do you get some form of result / feedback after the procedure please or do the results go back to your GP to share with the patient please?

This may vary from hospital to hospital, but in most cases you should get your results on the day - as in, what the endoscopist suspects, you should know. The only thing they won't be able to tell you on the day is the results of any biopsies they take, which obviously have to be analysed at the lab first, before the results are sent to your GP and/or yourself. In our unit, if we suspect a cancer, the patient is informed of our suspicion on the day and this is common practice at most hospitals and units in my experience. 

This may vary from hospital to hospital, but in most cases you should get your results on the day - as in, what the endoscopist suspects, you should know. The only thing they won't be able to tell you on the day is the results of any biopsies they take, which obviously have to be analysed at the lab first, before the results are sent to your GP and/or yourself. In our unit, if we suspect a cancer, the patient is informed of our suspicion on the day and this is common practice at most hospitals and units in my experience. 

Thanks so much - I am little nervous about the procedure itself as I have been told it is painful even with sedation but it absolutely has to be done.

Thanks again

This totally depends on the person. I've had patients chatting away to me during it with no discomfort at all, no sedation, no Entonox, nothing - Try not to listen to colonoscopy horror stories, you may be totally fine and you are in control, you are within your rights to withdraw your consent at any time (or even ask for a little break). 

I've had literally dozens of endoscopies (both ends) over the years without sedation. It is unpleasant but if you can control your breathing and can avoid physically tensing up you will probably be fine. The scopes used are far far thinner now than the first one I had over 30 years ago which literally looked like a hosepipe with a glass marble stuck in the end! 

The main reason I avoid sedation is that I like to view the screen to see what's visible. "There's a small polyp" makes more sense if you can see it in real time". Similarly, seeing a large, red, mass in my gullet prepared me for my cancer diagnosis. Being able to discuss what I'd just seen with the consultant just a few minutes later avoided several days of uncertainty. "We'll need to see the biopsy results first" - 'would you be surprised if it's cancerous?' "No, that seems probable". Similarly hearing "everything looks normal, as you can see" is the most reassuring thing you can imagine hearing!

Good luck!

Dave