Colonoscopy is diagnostic and therapeutic
Australian Commission material describes colonoscopy as both a way to inspect the large bowel and a platform for interventions such as removing polyps or taking biopsies.
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ACSQHC: Colonoscopy Clinical Care StandardBowel cancer may be symptom-free
Some bowel cancers cause no early symptoms, which is why screening is aimed at people without symptoms; new bleeding or bowel-habit change instead needs clinical assessment.
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Cancer Council Australia: Early detection of bowel cancerModern colonoscopy began in 1969
The first modern colonoscopies using a fibre-optic colonoscope were performed in June 1969 by William Wolff and Hiromi Shinya; the instrument could visualise the complete colon.
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British Society for the History of Medicine: Fibre-optic colonoscopyGut microbes differ by polyp type
An open-access study found distinct mucosal microbiome signatures associated with tubular adenomas and serrated polyps. The findings are research signals, not a validated screening test.
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npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 2022;8:66The appendix may host helpful microbes
A review of appendix evolution describes a possible role in protecting immune responses and helping re-seed gut commensal bacteria after gastrointestinal illness—challenging the idea that the appendix is merely vestigial.
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The Anatomical Record: A review of appendix functionA screening test looks for hidden blood
The NBCSP’s iFOBT can detect tiny amounts of blood in stool before a person notices symptoms; a positive result leads to further assessment, not a cancer diagnosis by itself.
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Australian Government: National Bowel Cancer Screening ProgramCoeliac disease can hide beyond the gut
Coeliac disease may present without obvious gut symptoms; iron deficiency, fatigue, unexplained infertility, abnormal liver tests or low-trauma fractures can be clues to consider testing.
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Coeliac Australia: Diagnosing coeliac disease—the key factsIBS and IBD can coexist
GESA notes IBS and IBD are distinct disorders, yet both can occur in the same person—so ongoing functional symptoms do not automatically rule out inflammatory disease.
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GESA: Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseA Perth discovery changed ulcer care
Perth pathologist J. Robin Warren and Barry Marshall shared the 2005 Nobel Prize for discovering H. pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.
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Nobel Prize: Physiology or Medicine 2005You're all caught up
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Explore topicsScrollMed summaries, written in our own words from eTG, ASCIA, the Australian Asthma Handbook and other trusted Australian guidelines, plus "Did you know?" facts from journals and official bodies. Tap the source on any post to read the original. Always check the current guideline and local protocols before clinical use.