The Importance of Colonoscopy
During every stage of development, there are different blood work and procedures that are used to evaluate the state of your health. As we approach our 50s it's recommended that we get a colonoscopy every 5 years to check our large intestine or colon.
The procedure is very simple -- the doctor puts a small viewing tube into the rectum and looks at the inside of your colon to see if there are any abnormalities in the lining of your large intestine.
Colonoscopy is a more extensive test than a flexible sigmoidoscopy because the doctors are able to see a larger section of colon. During the colonoscopy procedure the doctor can also take samples of tissue that looks abnormal and remove small growths or polyps in the colon. Once the tissue has been removed, it can be examined to decide whether it is benign -- will not cause harm -- or is cancerous.
Most polyps are benign and are no cause for worry. However, it's important to have them all checked to be sure. The testing starts at 50 because most colon cancers occur in people that are over the age of 50, however high-risk groups such as people with a family history or people of African- American descent may strongly consider be tested earlier.
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