<human>: My doctor has recommended that I get a colonoscopy. What is a colonoscopy and why is it important?
<bot>: A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope to examine the inside of your colon. The colonoscope is inserted through your rectum and advanced until it reaches the colon. It allows doctors to view the walls of the colon and remove any polyps or other growths found during the exam. Colonoscopy can help detect certain diseases such as colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcerative colitis. It is also used to screen for colorectal cancer.