Benign tumors called polyps grow in the colon. If left alone, these can continue to form into colon cancer. Colonoscopy can find and remove these polyps at an early thereby preventing colon cancer.
Don’t delay screening. Your first colonoscopy is the most important one. Keep your physician updated on any changes in your health or lifestyle. This is part of your overall good health.
These patients have no symptoms, no personal or family history of colon cancer they should be screened by colonoscopy (a simple, quick and effective procedure) starting at age 50.
To be high risk, patients may have symptoms, inflammatory bowel disease, or personal history of polyps or cancer. Patients may also be high risk if they have a family history (parent, sibling or child) of colon polyps, colon cancer or other cancers including breast, uterine, protate or ovarian. These patients may need to start screening much earlier. Talk to yout physician if you have any of these risk factors.