Why would my family doctor send me to a general surgeon to have a colonoscopy?

Not sure: The standard of care is for a gastroenterologist or colon and rectal surgeon to perform the colonoscopy, but many general surgeons are also trained and proficient in performing a colonoscopy.

Screening: Surgeons are also trained in endoscopy. Some surgeons perform their own endoscopies because then at the time of the operation they know exactly where to operate.

Preference: He probably prefers the surgeon to do this over a gastroenterologist. We can do colonoscopy it is just most surgeons don't do it.

Colon cancer: Colonoscopy is performed to detect early colon cancer, it is recommended at age 50 and then at 10 year intervals for average risk. If there is a personal or family history of colon cancer it might be recommended to start earlier or more often. General surgeons and gastroenterologists are the two specialties that perform colonoscopies.