🔬What is it?
Colorectal cancer screening is a set of tests designed to find cancer or pre-cancerous growths (polyps) in the colon and rectum before you have any symptoms. Colonoscopy is the most thorough screening — it lets the doctor see the entire colon and remove polyps on the spot, preventing cancer before it starts.
💡Why might you need it?
Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers — when caught early through screening, the survival rate exceeds 90%. Screening is recommended for everyone starting at age 45, or earlier if you have a family history. Removing polyps during colonoscopy actually prevents cancer from ever developing.
⚙️How does it work?
- Colonoscopy: A thin camera is passed through the rectum to examine the entire colon (under sedation — you won't feel anything)
- If polyps are found, they are removed immediately during the same procedure
- Stool-based tests (FIT): A simple at-home test that checks for hidden blood in your stool
- The doctor will recommend the right screening method based on your age and risk factors
⏱️Duration
20–30 minutes
📋How to prepare?
- ✓Bowel preparation the day before
- ✓Clear liquid diet for 12 hours
- ✓Bring a companion to drive you home
📝What to expect?
- •You'll follow a bowel prep the day of the procedure (clear liquids and a laxative solution — the hardest part!)
- •The colonoscopy itself takes about 20–30 minutes and is completely painless under sedation
- •You'll rest for about half an hour afterward and can go home the same day
- •If everything looks clear, your next screening may not be needed for 5–10 years