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Adding Some Fun to the Clear, Liquid Diet

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The most important action that you can take as you get ready for your colonoscopy is to follow your doctor’s recommendations exactly. One of the greatest causes for error in a colonoscopy is inadequate bowel preparation. If your bowel is not thoroughly cleansed, your gastroenterologist may miss polyps or lesions. This leads to repeated procedures and higher out-of-pocket costs.

No one likes the idea of being on a clear, liquid diet. Clear liquids are far from interesting and they don’t satisfy hunger. They should be reserved for those recovering from the flu, not someone in good health who is about to have a colon screening!

Unfortunately, a bowel preparation really does require a clear, liquid diet. Yet, do not just conclude that clear liquids just mean water. You have some choices in the type of clear liquids that you can choose. Clear liquids are defined as liquids that you can see through. When a clear liquid is in a container, the container can be seen through the liquid (Source: GBM).

Find a Gastroenterologist

Maybe clear liquids are not what you may be craving, but you have more variety than you probably think. Here are some ideas to add to your list of clear liquids as you prepare for the big day:<

NOTE: It is important that you do not have any red, orange, blue or purple dye in any of your liquids. This can interfere with the colonoscopy and dye your intestines.

  • Clear, carbonated drinks like ginger ale, 7-Up or Sprite
  • Black coffee and hot tea (no cream)
  • Jell-O or gelatin without fruit
  • Fruit juices
  • Powder drink mixes added to water
  • Hard candy that is transparent
  • Fat-free broth (vegetable, chicken or beef) or consommé
  • Popsicles (make sure they are dairy free)
  • Italian ice

Here are a few tips:

  • Learn to like lemon-lime. Yellow and green are “yes” colors when it comes to a colonoscopy, so choose lemon-lime Jell-O, Gatorade and hard candy.
  • Drink lots of soda. Carbonation makes you feel full. Try some soda that you rarely drink, like root beer. It will make you feel like a kid again.
  • Try eating cold Jell-O, then hot broth. Supposedly, this fills you up. The warm liquid expands the gelatin in your stomach and presto! Your tummy is not growling anymore!
  • Try to find interesting popsicle flavors like banana, green apple, or pineapple. The most popular flavors of popsicles are grape, cherry and orange—all no-no colors!

Five Most Commonly Used Bowel Preps and What You Have to Do for Each

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It’s time to have your colonoscopy. You’ve made your appointment, and now it’s time to start thinking of the details like diet and choosing a bowel prep kit. There are many choices of colon flushes, but which one should you choose?

There are about five bowel preps that are the most common at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), but they are all different in chemical composition and how they specifically stimulate the colon. Whichever prep you choose, you will follow the same diet of clear liquids including plain coffee and tea, broths, clear juices, Jell-O and popsicles. Remember that you may not have anything with red, blue or purple food coloring because the dye can appear on a colonoscopy as blood. It is important that you read all the literature and instructions that your doctor gives you because if you do not follow the regimen correctly, you may have to repeat your bowel cleanse and your colonoscopy (Source: Gastro Endo News).

Here is a brief description of the most commonly used preps and what you have to do for each one:

High-Volume Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

  • Common names: Golytely, Colyte, Nulytely and Trilyte
  • What makes it work? PEG is electrolyte-based. It will force out all contents of the bowel by introducing large amounts of volume into the colon (about four liters). The night before your colonoscopy, you will drink eight ounces of the solution every 10 minutes until bowel contents are clear or the solution is consumed.
  • Cons: PEGs taste salty and unpleasant. Some people complain of nausea and cramping.

Low-volume Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

  • Common names: Moviprep
  • What makes it work? Moviprep requires you to consume two liters of PEG and one liter of a liquid of your choice instead of four liters of PEG
  • Cons: Unpleasant taste, which may cause nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting. If you take any medication that increases your risk of blood salt abnormalities, you should consult your physician.

Oral Sulfate Solution. Low volume, split-dose

  • Common name: Suprep
  • What makes it work? You consume a six-ounce bottle the night before your colonoscopy and a six-ounce bottle the day of your colonoscopy
  • Cons: May cause in increase in uric acid, a concern for those with renal trouble. May also cause pain, vomiting, nausea.

Laxatives—magnesium citrate or bisacodyl

  • Common name: Halflytely
  • What makes it work? Taking either laxative with two liters of PEG, or just magnesium citrate, will be sufficient to flush your colon
  • Cons: May cause cramping, discomfort, nausea

Sodium picosulfate/magnesiumoxide/citric acid solution

  • Common names: Osmoprep and Visicol
  • What makes it work? These tablets are taken in two separate doses, on the evening before and the morning of the procedure. You will drink 10 ounces of prep and 64 ounces of any other clear liquid.
  • Cons: May cause bloating, pain and nausea

Choosing the correct bowel prep for you is important for you to have a successful colonoscopy. A safe preparation of the bowel needs to be individual for each patient, based on his or her age, medical history and potential drug interactions. If you have a preferred prep, please inform your doctor. However, if you are advised to use a different method, you should follow directions exactly. A thorough colon flush is the most important part of your colonoscopy, so follow the prep that your doctor recommends. Take a few moments to read some of our other resources like “5 Tips to Conquer the Colonoscopy Prep” and “Your Guide to an Easy Prep.”

Quiz: What Age Should You Get a Colonoscopy?

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Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States for men and women, and the risk of developing colon cancer is about 1 in 20. These statistics should make all of us pay attention. It is very clear that anyone can be affected by colon cancer, and the best way to prevent colon cancer is through regular screenings. But do you know at what age you should start getting screened for colon cancer?

The age at which you should get your colonoscopy is sometimes known as your “colonoscopy age.” Adults who are at average risk for colon cancer should have a baseline colonoscopy at the age of 50 and every 10 years thereafter if the colonoscopy is clear, but age 50 is not the magic number for all people.

There are several risk factors that make some individuals more prone to colon cancer and therefore lower their colonoscopy age. For example:

  • Being of African American descent is one risk factor that lowers colonoscopy age.
    African Americans should be screened for colon cancer at age 45 because of higher incidence of colon cancer.
  • Having a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps.
    About 5 to 10 percent of colon cancers are genetically linked. Therefore, someone who has a family history of colon cancer is more likely to have inherited the cancer gene than a person who has no family history of colorectal cancer.
  • Having a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) with colon cancer or polyps puts you at higher risk.
    The rule of thumb is that if any first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, you should be screened 10 years before the youngest case in the immediate family. For example, if your mother was diagnosed at age 45 with colon cancer, you should have your first screening at age 35. Recent studies are showing that family history plays a more important role than previously thought.

Although age 50 is the suggested age for a baseline colonoscopy, talk to your doctor about what age is right for you. Don’t wait until age 50 to start asking questions. Especially if you are in a high-risk category, make an appointment to discuss options and timing. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, but it requires you to be proactive in your own health care.

In fact, when caught early, more than 90 percent of patients with early stage colon cancer survive longer than five years. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for cancer screening. Although there are several types of screening methods such as flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema and fecal occult blood test, the colonoscopy is the most comprehensive test available and is the only one that can not only detect but prevent cancer.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Provider to Determine Your Colonoscopy Cost

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You have made one of the most important decisions you will ever make: you are getting a colonoscopy! Your doctor has recommended this important procedure, and now it’s time for you to take some action. The next step is for you to call your insurance company to see if you have any cost-sharing responsibilities. A screening colonoscopy can be fully or mostly covered under the Affordable Care Act depending on your insurance plan. Coverage is not always clear, and it is certainly not the same across the board. Before you have your colonoscopy, it is your responsibility to find out how much the procedure will cost.

Call Your Insurance Provider Before Your Colonoscopy

How should you approach this phone call? What are the correct questions to ask? Here is a sample dialogue to use as a guideline as you speak to your insurance provider to estimate your out-of pocket cost for your upcoming colonoscopy:

Patient: “I am ____ years old and my doctor wants me to get a colonoscopy.” (The recommended age for a colonoscopy is age 50 unless you are at high risk)

  • Provider: “Who is the surgeon or gastroenterologist who will be performing the procedure? What is the name of the hospital or ambulatory surgery center where you will have the procedure? I would like to check to see if your doctor and facility are in-network.” (This information will help your provider tell you how much your procedure will cost for an in-network doctor and facility vs. an out-of-network doctor and facility. Your provider can also direct you to a list of in-network doctors and facilities to save you money.)

Patient: “Am I subject to a deductible for this procedure? What percentage of the procedure is my responsibility?”

  • Provider: “To answer those questions, I need to ask you a few questions: Is this your first colonoscopy? Are you having problems? Did your doctor refer to this procedure as a screening colonoscopy or a diagnostic colonoscopy?” (A screening colonoscopy is when there are no symptoms or perceived problems. A diagnostic colonoscopy is associated with symptoms).

Patient: “If I have come in for a screening colonoscopy and my doctor finds a polyp, how might this affect my cost-sharing responsibility?”

  • Provider: “That is a great question. Let me look at your plan so I can give you details on your surgery benefits. If a polyp is found and removed during a screening colonoscopy, you may responsible for the cost of the removal and pathology.”

Patient: “If I add up these charges, will that give me the exact amount I am paying?”

  • Provider: “This is just an estimate of the charges for your colonoscopy. The final cost is determined by how the procedure is billed and whether the colonoscopy is coded as a screening or a diagnostic colonoscopy.”

Patient: “Can you direct me to the place on your website that will go over these details we just spoke about so I can refer to my benefits later?” (You always want to be able to access this information again. Having a representative explain your benefits is very important so you understand the charges, but you need to be able to find a copy of your colonoscopy benefits and even print them off for your reference).

Final Cost is Determined by Your Doctor

Remember that the type of colonoscopy you have (diagnostic or screening) and how your procedure is coded is up to your doctor and not your insurance company. Your insurance company is somewhat limited in its ability to tell you what your out-of-pocket cost will be because it is the doctor’s office that applies specific codes to the procedures. Therefore, it is best to view this call as a rough estimate of your cost-sharing responsibility.  It is a very good idea to call your doctor’s office or facility to confirm costs and how they will code your procedure based on your patient information.

A colonoscopy is one of the best steps that you can take for your health. Because colonoscopies are the most effective test for preventing and diagnosing colon cancer, they carry the highest price tag. However, screening colonoscopies may be free or prove to be very reasonable when you ask the right questions. Call your insurance provider before you schedule your colonoscopy so you can verify that:

  • Your doctor is in-network
  • Your facility is in-network
  • You have colonoscopy screening benefits
  • You understand how various outcomes of your colonoscopy will affect your cost-sharing responsibilities.

Family History Could Cover Your Colonoscopy

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Does colon cancer run in your family? If so, you could be eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy before the age of 50.

Adults who are at average risk for colon cancer should get a baseline colonoscopy at 50 years of age, but if you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, you should be screened earlier.  A family history of colon cancer is defined as having a first degree relative (mother, father, sister or brother) with colon cancer, precancerous polyps or cancerous polyps.

How do I find out if I am eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy?

If you meet these criteria, there are specific steps that you should take so that you can be eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy before the age of 50.

  1. Find out what age your first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps.
  2. Talk to your primary care physician and say, “My __________ (mother, father, sister or brother) was diagnosed with colon cancer/polyps at the age of ___.  I need to have ‘family history of colon cancer and/or polyps’ added into my medical records.” The records should include the family member(s) and the age(s).
  3. Call your insurance provider and convey the same information. Ask the representative to notate this information in your records.
  4. Ask your insurance provider if you have colonoscopy screening benefits in your policy. This benefit may vary among policies even within the same provider. Not all private insurance has colonoscopy screening benefits, and it is up to you to find out before you schedule your colonoscopy.
  5. Ask your insurance provider, “At what age am I eligible for screening benefits?” Some policies may allow you a screening colonoscopy at the same age as your first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, and some policies may allow you to have a screening performed earlier.
  6. Ask your insurance provider, “How much it will cost if the gastroenterologist finds a polyp in during my colonoscopy?” Polyp removal and biopsy often do not fall under “screening” so they may be filed under “medical.”  This would affect your financial responsibility, althought pathology (tests on the polyp(s) removed) is usually not exceptaionally expensive and is a small price to pay for preventing cancer!  Also important, ask whether the colonoscopy would change from a screening colonoscopy to a diagnostic colonoscopy if a polyp is discovered and how that may affect your payment.

When your doctor and insurance provider are aware of your family history and you are aware of your benefits, you can now safely schedule your colonoscopy.

How much will my colonoscopy cost me?

When there is a family history of colon cancer or polyps, some insurance providers pay 100 percent of colonoscopy screenings. Others may pay 80 percent or 90 percent, so be aware of your portion of the cost-share. Remember that all coverage and cost-sharing questions are policy-specific and only your health care provider can answer these questions for you. As tempting as it is to ask a friend, “How much was your colonoscopy?” remember that your benefits are specific to your plan.

Having a family history of colon cancer may be enough to qualify you for a free or low-cost colonoscopy under your health plan. It is essential that you initiate the process by asking the right questions and having proper documentation in your medical records and health plan records. Talk to your doctor and insurance provider so you can have a colonoscopy screening when the time is right for you. Most colon cancer is very treatable when found in the early stages, and early screening means prevention, early detection and early treatment!

How Do I Choose the Best Doctor for My Colonoscopy?

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Let’s say it’s time for your very first screening colonoscopy. How do you choose your gastroenterologist for your procedure? You may look online for gastroenterologists in your area. You may ask your friends for a recommendation. But which doctor is the right one for you? The short answer is: the doctor who finds the most polpys!

Study Links Polyp Detection Rate to Colon Cancer Rate

According to a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, the likelihood of developing colon cancer is significantly reduced among individuals whose doctors removed a greater number of adenomas, or premalignant polyps. The study examined 300,000 screening colonoscopies performed by 136 physicians who had performed at least 300 colonoscopies. Among the physicians, the polyp detection rate ranged from 7.4 and 52.5 percent. They physicians were divided into five groups according to their polyp detection rate. The research team then assessed the number of colon cancers that resulted between six months and 10 years after screening.

For patients whose doctors had the highest percentage of polyp detection, their colon cancer rate was about 50 percent of the rate whose doctors fell into the lowest group for polyp detection. Patients with fatal colon tumors also had much higher rate of survival with physicians who had high detection rates. Researchers also documented that physician skill affects the stage at which colon and rectal cancers are discovered.

Therefore, it would seem that there is an inverse relationship between a gastroenterologist’s frequency in removing benign polyps and their patients developing colon cancer. In the New England Journal of Medicines’ blog, it reads, “each 1 percent increase in adenoma detection rate brought with it a 3 percent decrease in interval cancer risk and a 5 percent decrease in risk of fatal colon cancer.”

What Affects a GI’s Polyp Detection Rate?

This study actually prompts new questions such as, “Why is there such a wide range of polyp detection rates among physicians?” There are many factors that affect detection rates such as:

  • Demographics— physician who serve older populations may detect more polyps
  • Colon prep— how well the gut has been cleansed affects detection rates
  • Patient insurance and reimbursement— how much the doctor is being reimbursed for the procedure may affect the thoroughness of the procedure

Spending More Time “Down There” Matters

Probably the most significant factor in polyp detection rates is how long and hard the physician actively looks for polyps. Sometimes, it just comes down to how much time your doctor spends in your colon. If a doctor passes the colonoscope through the entire colon and diligently scopes for polyps until the scope nears the appendix at the end of the right colon, the chances of polyp detection are higher.

Take Time to Ask Questions

So if it’s time for your first colonoscopy, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions such as:

  1. What is your experience in performing colonoscopies?
  2. How long does the procedure normally take you to perform?
  3. What is your polyp detection rate for patients my age?

Never be hesitant to ask questions. Your colonoscopy can be a window into your health. Do your part by preparing for the procedure thoroughly and by asking good qualifying questions to your doctor. The proof is in numbers, so find a doctor with high detection rates (Source: Forbes).

Frequency of Repeat Colonoscopy in Average Risk Patients

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All adults that are at average risk should have a baseline colonoscopy at the age of 50. Certain risk factors may lower the age for a recommended baseline colonoscopy. If you have a clear colonoscopy and no polyps or abnormalities are discovered, you most likely will not have to have another colonoscopy for 10 years.

If your gastroenterologist finds polyps during your colonoscopy, how soon will you have to schedule another procedure? The general guidelines state that a repeat colonoscopy should be performed in five years if one or two small adenomas (precancerous polyps) are found and 10 years if hyperplastic (noncancerous) polyps are found.

The Study

A study in the April issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy analyzed the frequency of repeat colonoscopies in Michigan. The lead author of the journal article was Stacy Menees, M.D., of the University of Michigan Health System. She stated, “The aim of our study was to quantify the frequency of appropriate follow-up colonoscopy recommendations after one or two polyps were found during the screening colonoscopy in average risk patients. In addition, we aimed to identify factors associated with adherence to guideline recommendations including bowel preparation quality, demographic factor and procedural factors.”

The study was conducted between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, among average risk individuals aged 50 or over who were undergoing colonoscopy screening and had one to two small polyps. All results were taken from a retrospective endoscopic database from the University of Michigan in-hospital medical procedure unit, two outpatient ambulatory surgery centers and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Health Care System in-hospital endoscopy suite.

The endoscopists (physicians who perform endoscopic procedures like colonoscopies) may sometimes vary from the guidelines. More specifically, the guidelines state that average risk patients with one or two small (less than one centimeter) adenomas (precancerous polyps) at screening colonoscopy should be directed to get a surveillance colonoscopy in 5 to 10 years. If 1 to 2 small hyperplastic (noncancerous) polyps are found, a colonoscopy should be performed in 10 years. Because of the Affordable Care Act, recommending repeat colonoscopies sooner than the guidelines are more scrutinized today, so this study comes at a very appropriate time.

The Results

Of the 922 colonoscopies with 1 or 2 small polyps discovered, 90.2 percent of patients received correct recommendations for appropriate timing for repeat colonoscopies. Eighty-four percent of patients with 1 to 2 small adenomas and 94 percent of patients with 1 or 2 hyperplastic polyps received recommendations consistent with guidelines.

What would make endoscopists vary from the recommended timing for repeat procedures? A colonoscopy could be recommended sooner if:

  • Bowel prep was fair or poor because polyps or adenomas could be missed
  • Patient is at higher risk for colorectal cancer
  • Patient is older than age 70
  • The endoscopist is concerned about limitations of the colonoscopy in preventing colorectal cancer on the right side
  • Endoscopist distrusts research that supports the guideline recommendations

Four Common Misconceptions about Colonoscopy Prep

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Many of us can remember having test anxiety in school. Sometimes test anxiety included sweaty palms, a raised heart rate and a queasy feeling in our stomachs. Some medical tests and exams can bring on those old familiar feelings of test anxiety. Feeling unprepared or nervous is common, but good studying and preparation can bring confidence on test day.

A colonoscopy can cause a great deal of “test anxiety” because it requires a good amount of preparation to cleanse the colon. Listening to other peoples’ stories about colon cleansing can increase anxiety, especially if this is your first colonoscopy. It is important to be able to find sources of good, sound information and not rely on someone else’s story. Here are a few misconceptions about colonoscopy preparation:

  1. The colon cleanse is a horrible experience—Emptying your colon is necessary for thorough and accurate results. However, the most common complaint from people is the volume of fluid you are required to drink and not the time in the bathroom.
  2. There is only one type of colon preparation—Actually, there are several types of colon preps, and you can talk to your doctor about which one is best for you. Now, there is even a lower-volume option if you have a hard time drinking a large volume of fluid at one time.
  3. You have to go an entire day without eating—Yes, this is partially true. You can only have clear liquids that will pass through your system easily and not interfere with the colonoscopy. However, there are a few items on the approved list that feel more like real food. Along with clear broths and juices, you can also have Jell-o, popsicles and Italian ice (as long as they do not contain red or blue dye). Bring on the treats!
  4. Spending an entire day in the bathroom will be boring—You need to stay close to the bathroom, but try to give yourself something to look forward to on prep day. Subscribe to Netflix and try a new show you have been wanting to see! You could get through a season in one day! Purchase a new book and see how much of it you can read on prep day. You might actually enjoy that time to yourself.

If you still find yourself feeling nervous about your colonoscopy prep and procedure, talk to your doctor and ask for some literature and information. Searching the internet and asking for other people’s opinions can cause misinformation and more anxiety. Save your questions for your doctor, and this will help you feel more informed and confident for your prep day and your colonoscopy.

To find out more tips about prep day and how you can avoid the need to retest, read our comprehensive information about colonoscopy prep.

What are the Different Types of Polyps?

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You have most likely heard of colon polyps. Polyps are the precursor of colon cancer. Did you know that there are different types of polyps? Polyps can be knobby or flat, and some polyps tend to be benign while some polyps are at higher risk for cancer. Let’s go over the basic categories of polyps:

Hyperplastic polyps

> These polyps are small and circular, measuring less than ¼ -inch wide. Usually, hyperplastic polyps are benign. However, if hyperplastic polyps are discovered on the right side of the colon, they should be completely removed because they carry risk for cancer.

 

Adenomas

> Adenomas tend to be circular in shape as well. They account for about 75 percent of all colon polyps, so they are certainly the most common. These polyps are considered precancerous and should be removed. If adenomas are left to grow, they can turn into cancer. There are three types of adeonomas:

 

  • Villous—tend to be the largest and are most likely to become cancerous
  • Tubular—tend to be the least likely to become cancerous
  • Tubulovillous—considered to have a higher risk of malignant transformation than tubular adenoma

Flat Polyps

> Many polyps are easy to detect because they appear like a mushroom. Some polyps are flat, and these can be easily missed during a colonoscopy. Sometimes called lesions, flat polyps can be just as deadly as circular polyps. More studies are revealing the dangers of flat polyps, and gastroenterologists are taking special measures to look for flat polyps during colonoscopies. Flat polyps can be removed just like other types of polyps, but viewing them can be difficult because they appear level or like a small indentation.

 

Rely on the Expertise of Your Doctor

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While round or circular polyps are much more common, a significant percentage of cancers are found in flat, depressed growths. In fact, researchers found that flat growths are nearly 10 times more likely to be cancerous than polyps. Because flat polyps can be so dangerous, it is important to have a thorough colonoscopy. A skilled gastroenterologist can identify and remove suspicious polyps during the procedure, and a trained pathologist can review specimens to examine for cancerous cells. Now that doctors know more about flat polyps, they know what to look for during the exam (Source: NBC News).

The patient has a responsibility as well. Your preparation for the procedure will make it easier or more difficult for the gastroenterologist to see. A complete colon cleanse is essential for maximum viewing, especially for flat polyps. If you have questions about how to effectively prepare for your colonoscopy, talk to your doctor or read “Your Guide to an Easy Prep.”

Does a Colon Polyp Always Mean Colon Cancer?

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Most colon polyps are noncancerous tissue that can sometimes develop into colon cancer. Colon cancer usually begins as a polyp, or a growth on the inner surface of the colon. Polyps are made of clumps of cells that grow slowly over time. If left to grow, larger polyps can bleed or even block the colon. In the most severe cases, polyps can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and constipation.

Do polyps always mean colon cancer? Not at all. Having colon polyps increases the likelihood to have more polyps in the future, but it does not necessarily mean that you have colon cancer. Having polyps will make you a candidate for more routine colonoscopies. A colonoscopy is the most effective type of screening method for colon cancer. Your doctor can examine the entire colon for precancerous polyps and remove any suspicious polyps during the procedure. For larger polyps, a biopsy can be taken during the colonoscopy to test for cancerous cells.

Regular colon screenings are important because polyps can move progressively from noncancerous to cancerous. There are two main types of polyps in the colon and rectum:

Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps
These polyps are not at high risk for becoming cancerous, except for large hyperplastic polyps on the right side of the colon. These polyps are more concerning and should be removed entirely.

Adenomas and adenomatous polyps
These are considered pre-cancerous and should be removed. Often, if left alone, these polyps can turn into cancer. One specific type of condition is called familial adenomatous polyposis is an inherited disorder in which patients develop multiple noncancerous polyps in their teenage years, and polyps progressively become malignant.

Colon cancer and cancerous polyps often have no symptoms, so the most important thing to remember is to talk to your doctor about how often you should be screened. Regular screening significantly lowers your risk for colon cancer, and the disease is highly treatable when found in the early stages. Not all polyps are cancerous, but don’t take a chance. Schedule your colonoscopy today by contacting one of our treatment centers.