Yep, most people know about colonoscopies, and the importance of getting them. And yep, I know that it is not on anyone’s ‘fun things to do’ list as well. When you put those two thoughts together, the result is that only 25% of people who should be getting colonoscopies are actually getting the procedure. Colon cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women in the US. Once colon cancer is detected, 2/3 of the time it has already spread. Treatment is tough and very limited, but early detection is straight forward and 94% accurate. Over 95% of colon cancers start with a polyp. It takes usually up to 10 years for an abnormal cell/polyp to turn into cancer.



A colonoscopy can detect and remove that polyp before it becomes cancer. You only need one every 10 years if your colon has no problems seen. If a polyp was removed, you usually still only need one every 5 years. Start at age 50. Start earlier if there is a family history, or symptom picture, or sometimes a ‘gut feeling’. If you have concerns or problems with a regular colonscopy, consider a ‘virtual colonoscopy’ which is getting 90% accuracy rates. Some insurance companies are covering this procedure as well. Here’s to a long life with a healthy colon.