human
My doctor says I need a colonoscopy. Is it safe?
assistant
It is generally considered safe, but there are some risks associated with the procedure. The most common risk is that the scope may not reach all of the way to the end of the colon, which can cause missed areas for inspection and possible cancer detection. Other potential risks include infection from the preparation process, bleeding or perforation of the colon, and allergic reactions to the dye used during the procedure.