Acolonoscopyis a procedure that helps detect and preventcolon cancer.
People who have a higher risk of developing colon cancer should get a colonoscopy earlier and more often.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Who Should Get a Colonoscopy and How Often?
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
But for adults withcertain risk factorsfor developing colon cancer, screening should begin sooner and happen more often.
What Happens During a Colonoscopy?
Here’s what you’re free to expect to happen leading up to and during the screening.
What to Expect
Once your colonoscopy is scheduled, your healthcare provider will give youbowel preparation instructions.
When the procedure is over, the colonoscope will be removed.
A nurse will take you to a recovery area to be briefly monitored as the sedative wears off.
There are other options that may work better for you depending on your individual situation.
Both gFOBT and FIT are available ashome self-test kits, and should be completed every year.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Aflexiblesigmoidoscopyis a miniature version of a traditional colonoscopy.
A traditional colonoscopy views the entire colon.
On the plus side, bowel preparation tends to be less complicated, and sedation is often not required.
Virtual colonoscopies take about 15 minutes and do not require an extensive bowel prep or sedation.
If used, virtual colonoscopy should be performed every five years.
Screening Options Recap
There’s no single “right” colon cancer screening test.
Talk to a healthcare provider about which screening test may be best for you.
A Word From Verywell
Preparing to get a colonoscopy may feel daunting, confusing, or scary.
But remember that early detection of colon cancer is key for successfully treating the disease.
They can help answer any questions if you’re feeling uneasy or unsure.
After having ulcerative colitis for roughly a decade, the risk of colon cancer starts to increase.
In people with ulcerative colitis, a yearly colonoscopy or other colon cancer screening may be recommended.
Youll be instructed to start drinking a liquid bowel prep medication in doses the day before your procedure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for colorectal cancer.
2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122
American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Family health history and colorectal (colon) cancer.
Gupta N, Drogan C, Kupfer SS.How many is too many?
Polyposis syndromes and what to do next.Curr Opin Gastroenterol.
2022;12:1713. doi: 10.3390/jpm12101713.
UpToDate.Patient education: Colonoscopy (beyond the basics).
National Cancer Institute.Screening tests to detect colorectal cancer and polyps.
Wilkins T, Mcmechan D, Talukder A.Colorectal cancer screening and prevention.Am Fam Physician.
2018;97(10):658-665.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Virtual colonoscopy.
Moffitt Cancer Center.How long does colon cancer take to develop?
2013;46(3):219223. doi:10.5946/ce.2013.46.3.219
