Gastroenterologist and three-time guest Dr Kostas Brooks returns for a discussion on colonoscopy, bowel cancer screening, and best practice care in Australia.

In this episode, we cover:

Home bowel cancer screening

• The role of home-based faecal occult blood tests in early detection

• How the program works in practice

• What best practice looks like in screening and surveillance

Bowel preparation for colonoscopy

• Why there is no single standard bowel preparation protocol

• Practical tips to support patients to achieve optimal preparation

• Key considerations for medicines before and after colonoscopy

What happens during a colonoscopy

• Step-by-step overview of the procedure

• Emerging role of artificial intelligence in detection and diagnosis

Colorectal cancer in Australia

• Prevalence and key risk factors

• Who is most at risk and why

• What happens next after a positive colonoscopy finding

Further reading

• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care - Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard - https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/clinical-care-standards/colonoscopy

• National Bowel Cancer Screening Program - https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-bowel-cancer-screening-program?language=en

• Bowel Cancer Australia - Red Apple Day - https://redappleday.au/