Welcome to the Wolfson Unit for Endoscopy

Introduction to Bowel Cancer Prevention

The importance of bowel cancer cannot be underestimated. It is the second most common cause of cancer in the UK, with 1 in 20 people developing colon cancer if not screened in middle-age. This amounts to 19,000 deaths a year, and when one considers 3,500 people die in traffic accidents each year, the disease is clearly a major cause for concern.

Colorectal cancer can be prevented via colonoscopy, a tried and tested method to find and remove polyps, both pre-cancerous and malignant. It is a mostly painless procedure with highly effective results. Colonoscopy is the definitive way of finding and removing precancerous polyps anywhere in the colon, but it's a challenging technique to master.

The Wolfson Unit for Endoscopy

The Wolfson Unit for Endoscopy at St. Mark's Hospital was established in 1996 as a national centre for flexible endoscopy. It is designed to combine a stylish and caring environment with modern high-technology facilities for outpatients and inpatients, whether NHS or private. The Endoscopy Unit has long been known for colonoscopy, polypectomy, bowel cancer screening and prevention and research and development. 

A full range of therapeutic procedures are performed in the unit, one of the best equipped in the world. State of the art instruments and accessories, advanced disinfection and sterilising methods, with specialist endoscopy nurses and doctors, allow us to 'reach the parts other doctors cannot reach' - comfortably and safely. We pride ourselves in making things easy, even enjoyable, for our patients, whether unwell or visiting for 'well patient screening'.

We lead the world in colonoscopy skills and training methods, educating up to 500 doctors and nurses a year in life-saving skills and 'tricks of the trade'.

The Leigh Academic Centre at St. Mark's

We are proud of our Leigh Academic Centre, a state of the art clinical and teaching facility which is host to our colonoscopy teaching and research team, which consists of over 15 doctors, research nurses and technologists, all dedicated to advancing colonoscopy techniques and improving training methods. Leading 'how to' colonoscopy textbooks, numerous video productions and multimedia interactive training materials, as well as other new performance-enhancing technologies and endoscope design improvements all originate from St. Mark's - benefitting doctors and their patients worldwide. We were also one of the first centres to open for the national bowel cancer screening programme.

All of this pioneering has meant painless and immediate results for patients. Even large pre-cancerous polyps can be removed on an easy walk-in/walk-out basis using new methods of endoscopic therapy. By developing these methods, full surgery is being avoided. Best of all, more lives are being saved.

In January 2008, the Wolfson Unit for Endoscopy was recognised as a World Centre of Excellence. This prestigious award by the World Organisation for Digestive Endoscopy (OMED) has only been given to 14 centres worldwide. The Wolfson Unit at St. Mark's is the only centre in the UK. Dr. Brian Saunders said, "This is recognition of the dedication of the Unit staff to outstanding patient care, ground-breaking research and teaching."