What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is an exam to look for abnormalities and changes in the large intestine and abdomen.
How is it done?
Patients are given either a sedative or, in rare cases, general anesthesia to reduce pain.
A long, flexible tube is inserted into the rectum. A tiny video camera is attached to the tip so the doctor can view the inside of the colon.
If necessary, the doctor can remove polyps or other types of abnormal tissue and take tissue samples.
A colonoscopy generally takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
How do I prepare the day before a colonoscopy?
Doctors recommend that patients eat easily digestible, low-fiber foods three to four days before the colonoscopy.
The day before the procedure, patients are not allowed to eat anything solid and only drink clear liquids.
The night before the colonoscopy, patients must take laxatives to ensure the digestive tract is clear.
When should I have a colonoscopy?
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends all adults between the ages of 45 and 75 get screened for colon cancer.
Patients between the ages of 75 and 85 are advised to speak to their doctor about when to have a colonoscopy.
If the colonoscopy does not reveal any signs of cancer, it should be performed every 10 years.
Why is a colonoscopy important?
Next to skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States
In 2021, 104,270 new cases of colorectal cancer and 45,230 new cases of rectal cancer are expected to be diagnosed.
It is the third leading cause of cancer death in men and women separately and the second leading cause of cancer death when men and women are combined. In 2021, 52,980 deaths are expected.
Sources: Mayo Clinic, American Cancer Society