Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
If you're age 45 or older and at average risk of colon cancer — you have no colon cancer risk factors other than age — your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you have other risk factors, your doctor may recommend a screen sooner.
Colonoscopy takes about 30 to 60 minutes and screening is generally repeated every 10 years if no abnormalities are found and you don't have an increased risk of colon cancer. The pros: Colonoscopy is one of the most sensitive tests currently available for colon cancer screening.
Your health care provider is likely to recommend a colonoscopy: In 5 to 10 years if you had only one or two small adenomas. In 3 to 5 years if you had three or four adenomas. In three years if you had 5 to 10 adenomas, adenomas larger than 10 millimeters or certain types of adenomas.
Answer From Michael F. Picco, M.D. There's no upper age limit for colon cancer screening. But most medical organizations in the United States agree that the benefits of screening decline after age 75 for most people and there's little evidence to support continuing screening after age 85.
When should you get rescreened? Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer after turning 45 and then continue screening regularly, depending on whether polyps were found, family history and other issues.
Diagnosing colon cancer. Colonoscopy Enlarge image. During a colonoscopy, the healthcare professional puts a colonoscope into the rectum to check the entire colon. Tests and procedures used for colon cancer diagnosis include: Using a scope to examine the inside of the colon.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says it recommends that all adults get screened, beginning at 45, even if these risk factors are absent. "Half of the cases that occur under the age of 50 are going to be in that 40-to-45 to the 50-year-old decade of life," says Dr. Boardman.
When to start bowel prep. Review your prep guidelines one to two weeks before your procedure for any special instructions. You may be encouraged to make small changes in your diet starting a week before the procedure. Often, the day before the colonoscopy is when you'll start the bowel prep solution. Dr.
Non-invasive screening options exist, but you may be unable to avoid a colonoscopy forever. Most colorectal polyps do not cause symptoms, so you may have polyps without knowing it. This is why beginning colorectal cancer screening at the recommended age of 45 is critical.
Colonoscopy is one option for colon cancer screening. Find out what to expect during this procedure to examine the inside of your colon.