human
My doctor wants me to have a colonoscopy. What is this test like?
assistant
The colonoscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope into the rectum and passing it through the entire length of the large intestine. During the examination, the doctor can look at the inside of the large intestine for signs of polyps or other abnormalities. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is generally performed in a hospital setting by a gastroenterologist (a specialist in digestive diseases).