A colonoscopy is a routine and commonly performed procedure. Your doctor uses an endoscope (a flexible tube with a video camera on the end) to check the inside of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. This screening helps detect diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and can reduce your risk of colon cancer by 60-90%. It also helps evaluate conditions like bleeding, chronic diarrhea and anemia (low blood counts). During the procedure, your doctor can detect and remove precancerous and cancerous polyps, close wounds, inject medications and place stents.

Talk to your doctor about scheduling a colonoscopy if you meet any of these criteria:

• You’re age 45 or older.
• You haven’t had one in 10 years.
• You have a family history of colon cancer.
• You have an inflammatory bowel disease.

Before your colonoscopy, you’ll need to go on a liquid diet and complete bowel prep as instructed by your doctor. Be sure to drink all of the preparation medication. You can improve the taste by chilling it, using a straw, licking a lemon between sips and adding citrus-flavored powdered drink packets. Day-of prep includes securing a ride with someone over 18 to your appointment and wearing comfortable clothes. Remove your contact lenses (use glasses), and don’t use lotions, makeup, nail polish or scented products that day.  

After your procedure, a nurse will call to see how you’re doing and if you have any questions. You’ll receive your test results by phone or can view them in your My Health Online account. If you screen positive for colon cancer, your doctor will discuss the next steps to treat and remove the cancer.