Colon cancer screening
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, yet it can largely be prevented. The gold standard of screening is a preventive colonoscopy, which at our center in Bratislava at Bernolákova 9 you can usually have within a few days, with the option of sedation. The lead specialist for gastroenterology is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský.
- Lead specialist for gastroenterology MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský
- Preventive colonoscopy usually within a few days, no referral needed
- With sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort
- We speak English
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
Why screening makes sense
In most cases colon cancer does not develop overnight. It develops over years – most often from an inconspicuous bowel polyp that initially causes no complaints. If we find and remove the polyp in time, cancer need not develop at all.
The gold standard of screening is colonoscopy. The doctor inspects the entire colon in detail and can remove any polyps found directly during the examination. If cancer were already present, screening detects it at an early stage, when the chances of a complete cure are highest.
At Proctocare, preventive colonoscopies are performed by an experienced endoscopy team led by the head of endoscopy MUDr. Daniel Malik, PhD.; the lead specialist is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský. Thanks to sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort.
Who screening is for
We recommend a preventive colonoscopy especially in the following situations
- Everyone from the age of 50 – even without any complaints
- Earlier if colon cancer or polyps have occurred in close relatives – the doctor will determine the right age for the first colonoscopy
- With a positive test for hidden blood in the stool
- After polyp removal, as a follow-up examination at the recommended intervals
- With warning signs – blood in the stool, weight loss, anemia or a change in bowel habits – this is no longer screening but an examination that should not be put off
If you are not sure whether screening already applies to you, we will gladly discuss it with you at a consultation or by phone.
How screening colonoscopy works
From preparation at home to the explanation of the result – we explain everything to you in detail in advance
1. Preparation at home
A day or two before the examination you follow a diet and drink a bowel-cleansing solution according to our detailed instructions. A clean bowel is a prerequisite for a reliable examination.
2. Sedation
Before the examination, on request, we administer a sedative into a vein while monitoring your vital signs. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
3. Examination and polyp removal
The doctor inspects the entire colon, usually in 20 – 30 minutes. Any polyps found are removed immediately and sent for histological examination.
4. Results and next steps
The doctor explains the findings to you after the examination and recommends when it makes sense to repeat the screening – with a clear finding usually only after several years.
Advantages of screening at Proctocare
Appointment within a few days
You will usually get an appointment for a preventive colonoscopy within a few days.
Sedation
With sedation and monitoring, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
We remove polyps right away
We do not postpone polyps found to another appointment – we remove them directly during the examination and send them for histology.
Experienced team
The team includes MUDr. Daniel Malik, PhD., head of the endoscopy unit at the University Hospital Bratislava (UNB); the lead specialist is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský.
Genuine prevention
By removing polyps we prevent colon cancer – we do not wait for it to manifest.
No referral needed
We are a private center – you book screening directly, without a recommendation from another doctor.
Preparing for screening colonoscopy
Thorough preparation is key – only a clean bowel allows the doctor to assess the lining reliably
- One to two days before the examination, follow the recommended diet – easily digestible, low-residue food without skins and seeds
- Drink the bowel-cleansing solution according to the instructions; it cleans the bowel thoroughly
- On the day of the examination do not eat any more; only clear liquids are allowed as instructed
- Tell us in advance about any medication you take regularly (especially blood thinners, diabetes medication and iron)
- If you choose sedation, arrange for someone to accompany you and do not drive on the day of the examination
You will receive detailed written instructions on the diet and the bowel-cleansing solution from us when booking your appointment.
After the examination
- After the examination you may feel bloated from the insufflated air – this passes quickly
- After sedation you will stay under our supervision for a short while until the sedative wears off
- After sedation, do not drive or operate machinery that day, and plan to leave with someone accompanying you
- You can usually eat and drink shortly after the examination, as recommended by the doctor
- If polyps were removed, the histology result and the interval of the next check are discussed at a follow-up visit
Frequently asked questions about colon cancer screening
Preventive colonoscopy is recommended from the age of 50. If colon cancer or polyps have occurred in your close relatives, it is advisable to start earlier – the doctor will determine the specific age after assessing your family history.
A stool test can flag a problem, but it can neither confirm nor resolve it. Colonoscopy directly visualizes the entire colon and any polyps found can be removed right away – that is why it is the gold standard of screening. With a positive stool test, colonoscopy follows anyway.
No – quite the opposite. Polyps and early stages of colon cancer usually cause no symptoms. The point of screening is to find them before they manifest.
With sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort. We administer the sedative into a vein while monitoring your vital signs. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
In most cases the doctor removes it immediately during the examination and sends it for histological examination. Based on the result, they recommend the interval of the next follow-up colonoscopy.
With a clear finding usually only after several years. If polyps were removed or you have a family history, the intervals are shorter – the doctor will recommend the exact follow-up plan according to the findings and histology.
Related topics
Colonoscopy
How the examination works, how to prepare for it and what to expect afterwards – everything about colonoscopy at our center.
Bowel polyps
The most common finding during screening – some polyps can develop into cancer over time, which is why we remove them right away.
Constipation and diarrhea
A long-term change in bowel habits is one of the symptoms that deserve an examination of the bowel.
Who will take care of you
Gastroenterologist · lead specialist for gastroenterology at Proctocare
MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, with an emphasis on precise diagnostics and an individual approach. He has also long specialized in inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).
- Gastroenterologist with more than 20 years of experience
- Gastroenterology Clinic of the Slovak Medical University and the University Hospital Bratislava
- Publishing and lecturing activity in the field
Gastroenterologist · head of the endoscopy unit at the University Hospital Bratislava (UNB)
A gastroenterologist with more than 30 years of experience in digestive endoscopy. He specializes in gastroscopy, colonoscopy and advanced endoscopic procedures.
Gastroenterologist · Bratislava office
She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, including endoscopic examinations and functional gastroenterology, with an emphasis on patient comfort during the examination.
Author and medical review: MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský – gastroenterologist with more than 20 years of experience, head medical guarantor of gastroenterology at Proctocare. · Last medical review: July 2026
Book a preventive colonoscopy
No referral needed, under sedation with minimal discomfort. Call +421 948 687 667 – Bratislava, Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II).
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk
Colon cancer screening
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, yet it can largely be prevented. The gold standard of screening is a preventive colonoscopy, which at our center in Bratislava at Bernolákova 9 you can usually have within a few days, with the option of sedation. The lead specialist for gastroenterology is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský.
- Lead specialist for gastroenterology MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský
- Preventive colonoscopy usually within a few days, no referral needed
- With sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort
- We speak English
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
Why screening makes sense
In most cases colon cancer does not develop overnight. It develops over years – most often from an inconspicuous bowel polyp that initially causes no complaints. If we find and remove the polyp in time, cancer need not develop at all.
The gold standard of screening is colonoscopy. The doctor inspects the entire colon in detail and can remove any polyps found directly during the examination. If cancer were already present, screening detects it at an early stage, when the chances of a complete cure are highest.
At Proctocare, preventive colonoscopies are performed by an experienced endoscopy team led by the head of endoscopy MUDr. Daniel Malik, PhD.; the lead specialist is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský. Thanks to sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort.
Who screening is for
We recommend a preventive colonoscopy especially in the following situations
- Everyone from the age of 50 – even without any complaints
- Earlier if colon cancer or polyps have occurred in close relatives – the doctor will determine the right age for the first colonoscopy
- With a positive test for hidden blood in the stool
- After polyp removal, as a follow-up examination at the recommended intervals
- With warning signs – blood in the stool, weight loss, anemia or a change in bowel habits – this is no longer screening but an examination that should not be put off
If you are not sure whether screening already applies to you, we will gladly discuss it with you at a consultation or by phone.
How screening colonoscopy works
From preparation at home to the explanation of the result – we explain everything to you in detail in advance
1. Preparation at home
A day or two before the examination you follow a diet and drink a bowel-cleansing solution according to our detailed instructions. A clean bowel is a prerequisite for a reliable examination.
2. Sedation
Before the examination, on request, we administer a sedative into a vein while monitoring your vital signs. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
3. Examination and polyp removal
The doctor inspects the entire colon, usually in 20 – 30 minutes. Any polyps found are removed immediately and sent for histological examination.
4. Results and next steps
The doctor explains the findings to you after the examination and recommends when it makes sense to repeat the screening – with a clear finding usually only after several years.
Advantages of screening at Proctocare
Appointment within a few days
You will usually get an appointment for a preventive colonoscopy within a few days.
Sedation
With sedation and monitoring, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
We remove polyps right away
We do not postpone polyps found to another appointment – we remove them directly during the examination and send them for histology.
Experienced team
The team includes MUDr. Daniel Malik, PhD., head of the endoscopy unit at the University Hospital Bratislava (UNB); the lead specialist is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský.
Genuine prevention
By removing polyps we prevent colon cancer – we do not wait for it to manifest.
No referral needed
We are a private center – you book screening directly, without a recommendation from another doctor.
Preparing for screening colonoscopy
Thorough preparation is key – only a clean bowel allows the doctor to assess the lining reliably
- One to two days before the examination, follow the recommended diet – easily digestible, low-residue food without skins and seeds
- Drink the bowel-cleansing solution according to the instructions; it cleans the bowel thoroughly
- On the day of the examination do not eat any more; only clear liquids are allowed as instructed
- Tell us in advance about any medication you take regularly (especially blood thinners, diabetes medication and iron)
- If you choose sedation, arrange for someone to accompany you and do not drive on the day of the examination
You will receive detailed written instructions on the diet and the bowel-cleansing solution from us when booking your appointment.
After the examination
- After the examination you may feel bloated from the insufflated air – this passes quickly
- After sedation you will stay under our supervision for a short while until the sedative wears off
- After sedation, do not drive or operate machinery that day, and plan to leave with someone accompanying you
- You can usually eat and drink shortly after the examination, as recommended by the doctor
- If polyps were removed, the histology result and the interval of the next check are discussed at a follow-up visit
Frequently asked questions about colon cancer screening
Preventive colonoscopy is recommended from the age of 50. If colon cancer or polyps have occurred in your close relatives, it is advisable to start earlier – the doctor will determine the specific age after assessing your family history.
A stool test can flag a problem, but it can neither confirm nor resolve it. Colonoscopy directly visualizes the entire colon and any polyps found can be removed right away – that is why it is the gold standard of screening. With a positive stool test, colonoscopy follows anyway.
No – quite the opposite. Polyps and early stages of colon cancer usually cause no symptoms. The point of screening is to find them before they manifest.
With sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort. We administer the sedative into a vein while monitoring your vital signs. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
In most cases the doctor removes it immediately during the examination and sends it for histological examination. Based on the result, they recommend the interval of the next follow-up colonoscopy.
With a clear finding usually only after several years. If polyps were removed or you have a family history, the intervals are shorter – the doctor will recommend the exact follow-up plan according to the findings and histology.
Related topics
Colonoscopy
How the examination works, how to prepare for it and what to expect afterwards – everything about colonoscopy at our center.
Bowel polyps
The most common finding during screening – some polyps can develop into cancer over time, which is why we remove them right away.
Constipation and diarrhea
A long-term change in bowel habits is one of the symptoms that deserve an examination of the bowel.
Who will take care of you
Gastroenterologist · lead specialist for gastroenterology at Proctocare
MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, with an emphasis on precise diagnostics and an individual approach. He has also long specialized in inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).
- Gastroenterologist with more than 20 years of experience
- Gastroenterology Clinic of the Slovak Medical University and the University Hospital Bratislava
- Publishing and lecturing activity in the field
Gastroenterologist · head of the endoscopy unit at the University Hospital Bratislava (UNB)
A gastroenterologist with more than 30 years of experience in digestive endoscopy. He specializes in gastroscopy, colonoscopy and advanced endoscopic procedures.
Gastroenterologist · Bratislava office
She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, including endoscopic examinations and functional gastroenterology, with an emphasis on patient comfort during the examination.
Author and medical review: MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský – gastroenterologist with more than 20 years of experience, head medical guarantor of gastroenterology at Proctocare. · Last medical review: July 2026
Book a preventive colonoscopy
No referral needed, under sedation with minimal discomfort. Call +421 948 687 667 – Bratislava, Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II).
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk
Colon cancer screening
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, yet it can largely be prevented. The gold standard of screening is a preventive colonoscopy, which at our center in Bratislava at Bernolákova 9 you can usually have within a few days, with the option of sedation. The lead specialist for gastroenterology is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský.
- Lead specialist for gastroenterology MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský
- Preventive colonoscopy usually within a few days, no referral needed
- With sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort
- We speak English
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
Why screening makes sense
In most cases colon cancer does not develop overnight. It develops over years – most often from an inconspicuous bowel polyp that initially causes no complaints. If we find and remove the polyp in time, cancer need not develop at all.
The gold standard of screening is colonoscopy. The doctor inspects the entire colon in detail and can remove any polyps found directly during the examination. If cancer were already present, screening detects it at an early stage, when the chances of a complete cure are highest.
At Proctocare, preventive colonoscopies are performed by an experienced endoscopy team led by the head of endoscopy MUDr. Daniel Malik, PhD.; the lead specialist is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský. Thanks to sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort.
Who screening is for
We recommend a preventive colonoscopy especially in the following situations
- Everyone from the age of 50 – even without any complaints
- Earlier if colon cancer or polyps have occurred in close relatives – the doctor will determine the right age for the first colonoscopy
- With a positive test for hidden blood in the stool
- After polyp removal, as a follow-up examination at the recommended intervals
- With warning signs – blood in the stool, weight loss, anemia or a change in bowel habits – this is no longer screening but an examination that should not be put off
If you are not sure whether screening already applies to you, we will gladly discuss it with you at a consultation or by phone.
How screening colonoscopy works
From preparation at home to the explanation of the result – we explain everything to you in detail in advance
1. Preparation at home
A day or two before the examination you follow a diet and drink a bowel-cleansing solution according to our detailed instructions. A clean bowel is a prerequisite for a reliable examination.
2. Sedation
Before the examination, on request, we administer a sedative into a vein while monitoring your vital signs. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
3. Examination and polyp removal
The doctor inspects the entire colon, usually in 20 – 30 minutes. Any polyps found are removed immediately and sent for histological examination.
4. Results and next steps
The doctor explains the findings to you after the examination and recommends when it makes sense to repeat the screening – with a clear finding usually only after several years.
Advantages of screening at Proctocare
Appointment within a few days
You will usually get an appointment for a preventive colonoscopy within a few days.
Sedation
With sedation and monitoring, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
We remove polyps right away
We do not postpone polyps found to another appointment – we remove them directly during the examination and send them for histology.
Experienced team
The team includes MUDr. Daniel Malik, PhD., head of the endoscopy unit at the University Hospital Bratislava (UNB); the lead specialist is MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský.
Genuine prevention
By removing polyps we prevent colon cancer – we do not wait for it to manifest.
No referral needed
We are a private center – you book screening directly, without a recommendation from another doctor.
Preparing for screening colonoscopy
Thorough preparation is key – only a clean bowel allows the doctor to assess the lining reliably
- One to two days before the examination, follow the recommended diet – easily digestible, low-residue food without skins and seeds
- Drink the bowel-cleansing solution according to the instructions; it cleans the bowel thoroughly
- On the day of the examination do not eat any more; only clear liquids are allowed as instructed
- Tell us in advance about any medication you take regularly (especially blood thinners, diabetes medication and iron)
- If you choose sedation, arrange for someone to accompany you and do not drive on the day of the examination
You will receive detailed written instructions on the diet and the bowel-cleansing solution from us when booking your appointment.
After the examination
- After the examination you may feel bloated from the insufflated air – this passes quickly
- After sedation you will stay under our supervision for a short while until the sedative wears off
- After sedation, do not drive or operate machinery that day, and plan to leave with someone accompanying you
- You can usually eat and drink shortly after the examination, as recommended by the doctor
- If polyps were removed, the histology result and the interval of the next check are discussed at a follow-up visit
Frequently asked questions about colon cancer screening
Preventive colonoscopy is recommended from the age of 50. If colon cancer or polyps have occurred in your close relatives, it is advisable to start earlier – the doctor will determine the specific age after assessing your family history.
A stool test can flag a problem, but it can neither confirm nor resolve it. Colonoscopy directly visualizes the entire colon and any polyps found can be removed right away – that is why it is the gold standard of screening. With a positive stool test, colonoscopy follows anyway.
No – quite the opposite. Polyps and early stages of colon cancer usually cause no symptoms. The point of screening is to find them before they manifest.
With sedation, the examination takes place with minimal discomfort. We administer the sedative into a vein while monitoring your vital signs. On request, the examination can also be performed under general anesthesia.
In most cases the doctor removes it immediately during the examination and sends it for histological examination. Based on the result, they recommend the interval of the next follow-up colonoscopy.
With a clear finding usually only after several years. If polyps were removed or you have a family history, the intervals are shorter – the doctor will recommend the exact follow-up plan according to the findings and histology.
Related topics
Colonoscopy
How the examination works, how to prepare for it and what to expect afterwards – everything about colonoscopy at our center.
Bowel polyps
The most common finding during screening – some polyps can develop into cancer over time, which is why we remove them right away.
Constipation and diarrhea
A long-term change in bowel habits is one of the symptoms that deserve an examination of the bowel.
Who will take care of you
Gastroenterologist · lead specialist for gastroenterology at Proctocare
MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, with an emphasis on precise diagnostics and an individual approach. He has also long specialized in inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).
- Gastroenterologist with more than 20 years of experience
- Gastroenterology Clinic of the Slovak Medical University and the University Hospital Bratislava
- Publishing and lecturing activity in the field
Gastroenterologist · head of the endoscopy unit at the University Hospital Bratislava (UNB)
A gastroenterologist with more than 30 years of experience in digestive endoscopy. He specializes in gastroscopy, colonoscopy and advanced endoscopic procedures.
Gastroenterologist · Bratislava office
She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, including endoscopic examinations and functional gastroenterology, with an emphasis on patient comfort during the examination.
Author and medical review: MUDr. Tomáš Zamborský – gastroenterologist with more than 20 years of experience, head medical guarantor of gastroenterology at Proctocare. · Last medical review: July 2026
Book a preventive colonoscopy
No referral needed, under sedation with minimal discomfort. Call +421 948 687 667 – Bratislava, Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II).
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk