A colonoscopy is a safe and effective way to examine the health of the colon (large intestine), rectum, and, if necessary, the small intestine. It can help detect conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diverticular disease, as well as monitor patients with a history of colon polyps.
Colonoscopies help prevent colon cancer or detect it early
When screening for colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy is recommended for all adults over 45 and every 10 years afterward. Your physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) might recommend earlier or more frequent screenings depending on your risk factors and prior history. During the exam, the physician may detect and remove colon polyps, abnormal tissue growths that may be precancerous.
The colonoscopy is a minor procedure
During a colonoscopy procedure, a physician examines the inside of the colon with a long, flexible tube equipped with a tiny camera (colonoscope). A colon cancer screening is typically a 20-30 minute outpatient procedure performed at a hospital or surgery center.
For healthy patients who need routine colonoscopies and have no current symptoms or major health complications, ARC offers the open access colonoscopy, also called the fast-track colonoscopy. Open access allows you to schedule your colonoscopy without an initial consultation with the physician. If your ARC physician or APC refers you for a colonoscopy, they will explain your options and provide further instructions.