Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Colonoscopies are an effective means to screening for colorectal cancer, which the World Health Organization reports is the third most common cancer worldwide.

Adults in their early 40s know the day is looming when their physicians indicate it’s time for them to get a colonoscopy. According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center¨, most people should get their first colonoscopy at age 45 and continue to get semi-regular screenings through age 75.

Colonoscopies are an effective means to screening for colorectal cancer, which the World Health Organization reports is the third most common cancer worldwide. Though the MDACC characterizes colonoscopies as the “gold standard” for colorectal cancer screening, many people still approach the test with a degree of apprehension. But a closer look at these highly effective screenings shows there’s little to fear when getting a colonoscopy.

What happens during a colonoscopy?

During the procedure, a long, flexible tube known as a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and around the colon. A camera and light at the tip of the colonoscope allows the doctor to examine the lining and the walls of the colon. The MDACC notes that ability is what makes colonoscopies so effective. During a colonoscopy, a doctor can remove any polyps, which are small, typically benign growths. Stool-based colorectal screenings and virtual colonoscopies do not allow for the removal of polyps.

Why do colonoscopies inspire anxiety?

The anxiety associated with colonoscopies typically does not stem from the procedure itself but the preparation required the night before it. The Mayo Clinic notes that the colon, which is normally filled with stool, will need to be emptied prior to getting a colonoscopy. That means patients cannot eat solid food the day before the exam, and any drinks they consume may be limited to clear beverages, including water, tea and coffee without milk or cream, or broth (patients should first consult with their physicians about what they can and cannot consume on the day prior to the procedure).

Avoiding solid food and sticking to clean liquids can be inconvenient, but the anxiety from a colonoscopy often can be traced to the prescription laxative patients typically consume in pill or liquid from the night before the procedure. That laxative facilitates the emptying of the colon, and patients may make several trips to the bathroom after consuming the laxative. Patients also may need to wake up in the middle of the night and take a second dose, after which they may make several additional trips to the restroom.

What about the procedure itself?

During a colonoscopy, patients will wear a gown but likely nothing else. Sedation or anesthesia is typically administered, and after that patients often fall asleep and ultimately awake in another room after the procedure has been completed. The Mayo Clinic notes some patients feel stomach cramps and/or bloated after the procedure. When patients awake from the sedative, the doctor who performed the procedure will offer his prognosis.

How soon do I need another colonoscopy?

Recommendations regarding a subsequent colonoscopy depend on what was found during the procedure. The MDACC notes that the typical timeline if no polyps were discovered is 10 years before the next colonoscopy.

Colonoscopies have a reputation for being unpleasant, but any pre-procedure discomfort is worth it given the efficacy of the exams.