Colonoscopy

The American Cancer Society recommends:

• Those at normal risk for colorectal cancer get screened starting at age 45*
• People with a family history of the disease may need to start even younger (If you have a first-degree relative that had colorectal cancer before age 50, you’d usually start 10 years younger than they were when they were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.)

*Patients should check with their insurance company to confirm coverage.

This procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. It allows the physician to examine the inside of the rectum and the entire colon using a colonoscope. A colonoscope has a light and lens for viewing. It also has a tool to remove polyp tissue (or, if necessary during the colonoscopy, the entire polyp).

Colonoscopy is performed in an outpatient setting. To make the procedure as comfortable as possible, you will be given a sedative. You will lay on your left side with knees drawn up to your chest. Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing are monitored during and after the test. The physician will gently insert the lubricated colonoscope into the rectum for a thorough examination of the rectum and colon.