A colonoscopy is the most effective way to screen for colon cancer. Colonoscopies are a routine procedure you don’t want to overlook or ignore – but how often should I get a colonoscopy, and at what age do you get a colonoscopy for the first time?
Here’s what you need to know about getting colonoscopies, when to get a colonoscopy, how often, and even how to correctly prepare for one.
At What Age Do I Need to Get a Colonoscopy?
As your age increases, so does your risk for polyps and colon cancer. Regardless of your gender or how healthy you are, it’s recommended that you begin getting colonoscopies by the age of 45, and in most cases you should get a colonoscopy at least once every ten years. There are also reasons to get colonoscopies more frequently.
The 10-year rule only applies if you’re not already at risk for bowel conditions. You may need to begin getting colonoscopies earlier than age 45 (and at least once a year) if you have a family history of colon or bowel cancer or have already been diagnosed with a bowel condition, such as:
For conditions like Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis, you’ll need to consult with your doctor about the exact frequency you should be getting colonoscopies – and at what age they should begin.
When Is it Recommended to Get a Colonoscopy if You Have a History of Bowel Cancer?
If you already have a history of colon cancer in your family, it’s never too early to schedule your first colonoscopy. However, if you want to avoid colonoscopies until you absolutely need to, the American Cancer Society doesn’t begin recommending regular colonoscopies until the age of 45 for anyone with an average risk of cancer. There are however earlier age recommendations and reasons to take a more proactive approach.
Anyone that’s already dealt with a colon cancer diagnosis or has a high risk of it in their family may need to start at the age of 40. In some cases, doctors have even recommended for people to get their first colonoscopy at 35 if they had a parent diagnosed with colon cancer.
Keep in mind that, regardless of how often your doctor might suggest scheduling colonoscopies, some insurance companies still limit how often they’ll cover your screenings (if you don’t have a cancer diagnosis). Depending on the policy, if you start your screenings at 35, you may not be able to get your insurance company to cover another colonoscopy until you’re 40 or 45 – but it depends on your specific risk and what you’ve been diagnosed with.
What Happens During a Colonoscopy?
For anyone that’s never had a colonoscopy before, but their first procedure is approaching, wondering about it can make one anxious, so it’s important and frankly comforting to know exactly what will be happening.
The actual colonoscopy procedure is performed by a doctor, often in an exam room, and takes about 30 to 60 minutes. You’ll be given medication that completely relaxes your body, and your doctor will ask for you to lie on your left side on an exam table.
A colonoscopy is not surgery. Throughout a colonoscopy procedure, the doctor will use a flexible, long instrument with a camera called a colonoscope, to look for any abnormalities in your colon. Not only does the scope provide a clear picture of your colon, but a colonoscopy can also blow air into your colon for a clearer image as well.
For many people, colonoscopies can be uncomfortable and cause a little cramping while they’re happening, but this should go away once the colonoscope has been removed from your rectum.
If your doctor spots anything that looks out of the ordinary, they may take out small amounts of tissue to analyze or remove abnormal growths and polyps.
As uncomfortable as a colonoscopy may sound, the routine procedure is a lot more convenient (and less painful) than undergoing an intrusive operation. This is why colonoscopies are frequently recommended as a preventative care technique; catching cancers early is the best way to beat them and the lesser of two evils, for certain.
How Do I Prepare for a Colonoscopy?
In order for doctors to get a clear and accurate picture of your colon, you’ll need to prepare for the procedure beforehand.
When your colonoscopy gets scheduled, your doctor should provide instructions about how to prep for the procedure. For a successful colonoscopy, you’ll need to attend your appointment with a completely emptied-out colon.
Three to four days leading up to your colonoscopy, you’ll start a colonoscopy prep diet, detailed in the next section.
Part of preparing for a colonoscopy procedure will require that some personal time be set aside the night before your colonoscopy, when you’ll be taking a strong laxative, aka your colonoscopy prep drink. Be aware that it will be rather forceful and uncomfortable, so you’ll want to stay home and in the bathroom until it’s over. It’s usually recommended that you clear your schedule the night before the colonoscopy, and make arrangements for someone to drop you off and pick you up from the procedure.
What is a Colonoscopy Prep Diet?
Colonoscopies require that you cleanse your colon – this means tweaking your diet for the days leading up to the procedure. Your doctor may ask that you eat light meals for a couple of days before, and that you stick with low-fiber foods that are easy to digest, including:
Rice, pasta, and white bread
Eggs
Well-cooked vegetables that don’t have the skin on them
Fruits that don’t contain the seeds or skin
Lean meats such as fish or chicken
Your doctor will also usually direct you to avoid high-fiber or hard-to-digest foods like these:
Tough meat, including red meat
Nuts, popcorn, and seeds
Vegetables like corn, broccoli, peas, beans, and cabbage
Fruits that include seeds or skins that you can’t remove
Fatty foods
Whole grains
On the day before your colonoscopy procedure, it’s standard for you not to be able to eat anything solid, and only to have clear liquids. Clear juices are usually fine, and as long as you don’t add any cream to it, you should be able to have your coffee or tea.
To clean out your colon, you’ll also be given a colonoscopy prep drink that’ll help ensure your bowels are clear by the time of the procedure. This is the part of the entire process that may take the most time out of your schedule, so be mindful to plan to be home.
For more information about preparing for a colonoscopy or colonoscopy prep options, see How Do I Prepare for a Colonoscopy?
Don’t Wait to Book Your Colonoscopy Appointment
Whether you’re approaching the age where you need a colonoscopy or you’re worried about an increased risk of colon conditions, don’t wait to book your colonoscopy or to consult a doctor. Everyone, regardless of how healthy they may be, needs a routine colonoscopy. Contact me today to schedule an appointment or learn more about when you’ll need a colonoscopy.