A colonoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which your doctor will screen your rectum and colon for polyps or cancer. A long, flexible tube with a tiny video camera called a colonoscope lets your doctor see the inside of your colon.

During the procedure, your doctor looks for changes or abnormalities in your colon and rectum. They can also diagnose other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or remove any polyps before they can turn into cancer. They may take biopsies, or tissue samples, of anything suspicious.

A colonoscopy is the best way to detect colon cancer early. This simple procedure typically takes less than an hour, and you can return to your regular activities the next day.

You’ll have the option of anesthesia during your procedure — or you can choose to go without it. Not using anesthesia may shorten your procedure time by up to half, but the choice is yours.

Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment if you choose to have anesthesia.

During your procedure, if we discover a polyp or polyps, we’ll work with you to determine next steps. Our team can help manage even complex colon polyps, often without surgery.

If you do need surgery, our experienced team of colorectal surgeons will work with you to create your path to the best outcome.

Colon cancer and rectal cancer (commonly grouped together and called colorectal cancer) is the second most common type of cancer in the United States — but it’s one of the few cancers that can be prevented. Early colon cancer stages often have no symptoms, which is why getting a colonoscopy matters so much.

The American Cancer Society recommends all men and women with an average risk of colorectal cancer begin regular screenings at age 45.

People at higher risk of colon cancer may need to start screening before age 45 or screen more often. Risk factors include:

• A personal history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer
• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• A family history of colon cancer
• A genetic predisposition to developing colon cancer, such as Lynch syndrome

The day before your procedure, you’ll need to follow a liquid-only diet and use laxatives. Doing this properly empties your colon so your doctor can get a clearer view of your colon and rectum.

We offer a free mobile app called “Easy Prep: Colonoscopy,” which is designed to make preparing for your procedure a little easier. The app gives you:

• A personalized schedule with instructions
• Helpful hints and tips
• Shopping list of items you'll need for your clear liquid diet
• Foods and liquids to stay away from

We’re here to make preparing for your colonoscopy as easy as possible. Our team will answer your questions and walk you through the entire procedure.

After your colonoscopy, it’s common to have some or all of the following symptoms:

• Bloating and gas
• Cramps
• Blood in your stool with your first bowel movement
• Grogginess as your anesthesia wears off (if you choose to have it)

If your doctor removes polyps during the procedure, they may put you on a special diet for a few days afterward.

A colonoscopy is used to identify a few conditions, including:

• Colon polyps: Polyps are growths that form in the lining of your colon. They’re common and can be removed easily, often during a colonoscopy.
• Colon cancer: Colorectal cancer develops when normal, healthy cells in the colon or rectum begin to grow and function differently. These cancerous cells build up, forming a mass called a tumor, which exists as a lump inside the colorectal area. In some cases, these cancerous cells can travel to other parts of the body. Because colon cancer doesn’t show any symptoms in the early stages, a colonoscopy may be the only way to check for signs of colorectal cancer.
• Other conditions: A colonoscopy can also diagnose inflammatory conditions in your colon, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Cologuard^® is an at-home test in which you collect and send in a small sample of your stool. We’ll test it for malignant (cancerous) DNA. While the Cologuard test is effective at detecting cancer and large, non-cancerous polyps, we also recommend a traditional colonoscopy, as it can eliminate abnormal polyp growth.