Colon capsule endoscopy enables clinicians to see inside the large intestine, with excellent image quality. 

The colon capsule endoscopy procedure involves swallowing a tiny wireless camera (safely contained within a capsule), which then travels naturally through the stomach and intestine, finally reaching the colon where it captures thousands of pictures of the lining of the large instestine. 

During the time it takes for the capsule to move through the body, it can take more than 400,000 images of the intestinal lining. The images are transmitted wirelessly to a data recorder that you wear around your waist.

The video capsule is an alternative method of investigation of the colon which is painless, does not require sedation, and can be delivered in outpatient healthcare environments.

National study on colon capsule

The Cancer Alliance supported trusts in the East of England (JPUH, QEKL, ESNEFT, WSH, Bedfordshire and West Herts Hospitals), to be part of a national study during 2021, for patients. The first patient in the country was successfully seen using this method at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust in February 2021. The national pilot study concluded in March 2024 and we are awaiting the results. A big thank you to all staff and patients who have been involved in this study.