Endoscopy Clinic

North York General Hospital offers endoscopy services through all stages of life, from young children to the elderly. Endoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera on the end of it. This instrument is called an endoscope. Common procedures include gastroscopy, colonoscopy and ERCP to diagnose and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. 

Our endoscopists complete about 11,000 procedures at our hospital each year. The department is also staffed by ansthesiologists and specialized endoscopy registered nurses. Together, the endoscopy team ensures your visit with us is as pleasant as possible.

Our Endoscopy Clinic is part of the Cancer Care Ontario Colorectal Screening Program. According to ColonCancerCheck, an Ontario-wide screening program aimed at reducing deaths from colorectal cancer by increasing early detection of the disease, there is a 90% cure rate if colorectal cancer is detected in its earliest stages. 

If you have a family history of colon cancer in a first degree relative (parent, sibling or child) or have symptoms, the program recommends you have a colonoscopy to screen for this disease.

FIT + colonoscopy referrals 

  • Fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is a new test that is part of Cancer Care Ontario’s Colon Cancer Check Program
  • The FIT replaces the fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) for people at average risk of getting colorectal cancer
  • A positive FIT requires a colonoscopy
  • Patients who require a FIT positive colonoscopy will receive an appointment within two weeks
  • Results to primary care providers are sent within 1 business day
  • If further testing is necessary, patients will receive expedited and automatic diagnostic workup and surgical consults through the North York General Colorectal Cancer Program

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