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Approximately 50,000 people die of colon cancer every year. Yet, colon cancer can almost always be caught in its earliest and most curable stages by colonoscopy. Almost all men and women age 50 and older should have a colonoscopy.
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Colonoscopy is almost always painless and most patients are asleep for the entire procedure. Taking laxatives and/or enemas before the test to clean out the colon isn't fun, but most people find this to be the worst part of the procedure. It may be embarrassing or awkward, but it is certainly better than having cancer.
Certain people may require colonoscopies before age 50. These include persons with a history of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, and people with a first degree relative (mother, father, brother or sister) with colon cancer that developed before the age of 60.
Additionally, patients with personal or family history of other types of cancer may need to consider colon cancer screening at an earlier age.
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