Mohammed Ali Mohammed Ali Asked 6 months ago

Can colonoscopy missed colon cancer?

My wife had a colonoscopy a few months back, but she's still experiencing some troubling symptoms. We're getting worried, is it possible for a colonoscopy to miss colon cancer?

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7 answers

Suresh Bansal Suresh Bansal Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago
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A colonoscopy is the best test but yes, occasionally small polyps can be missed if the bowel prep wasn't done properly. Since the test costs a lot, make sure you strictly follow the liquid diet prep beforehand so they get a clear view and you don't have to spend money on repeating it.

Rahul Verma Rahul Verma Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

Look, no medical test is 100% perfect. Statistically, there is a very small miss rate, usually under 5%, often due to poor bowel preparation. If you still have red flags like blood in stool, don't just rely on one clear colonoscopy report; get a consult with another gastroenterologist.

Kiran Deshmukh Kiran Deshmukh Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

Sometimes, if the colon is not fully clean or if a polyp is hidden behind a fold, it can be missed. Keeping our digestion clean naturally helps, but medically, we must trust the doctors. If you still feel discomfort after a clear test, listen to your body and seek a second opinion.

Priya Sharma Priya Sharma Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

I totally get it, it is so stressful to think that even after going through such a tough procedure, something might have been missed. While it is rare, small flat lesions can sometimes slip past. If your symptoms are continuing, definitely talk to your doctor about further evaluation.

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Consult a radiation oncologist

Sneha Roy Sneha Roy Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

My uncle had a similar worry because his symptoms didn't stop after a clean scan. The doctor told us that sometimes flat polyps are hard to see. If you're still feeling bad, it’s totally okay to go back and ask your doctor if any other test is needed.

Amol Patil Amol Patil Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago

Haan na, human error can happen anywhere, even during a colonoscopy if the doctor is in a rush or preparation was thoda bad. If you are still facing constant pain or weight loss, don't sit quietly. Go to a good hospital and get a second doctor's opinion.

Aditya Sen Aditya Sen Joined May 2026 5 months ago

There are actually documented cases where small or flat adenomas are missed during colonoscopy. The quality of the scan depends heavily on the 'adenoma detection rate' of the doctor and how well the bowel was cleared. Keep tracking your daily digestive symptoms and show the log to a doctor if things don't improve.

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