Colon Cancer Screening

We believe early detection of colon cancer is the key to survival. That’s why we are committed to offering colonoscopy screening recommendations to the community.

Our colonoscopy screening recommendations include:

• Schedule your first colonoscopy by age 45. 
• If you have a family history of colon cancer, schedule your first colonoscopy for 10 years before the age your family member had pre-cancerous polyps or cancer. 
• If you had no polyps during your colonoscopy, schedule another in 10 years. 
• If you had polyps during your colonoscopy, your physician will recommend another screening in one to five years. 
• If you are over the age of 45 and/or you have a family history of colon cancer, speak to your doctor about scheduling a screening colonoscopy today. 

Screenings detect colorectal cancer early

Based on your medical history and risk factors, we may recommend that you get a colonoscopy, which is the best way for us to screen for colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy can find both polyps and cancer. This painless, outpatient procedure helps us detect early-stage colorectal cancer, which does not usually have symptoms. In most cases, symptoms do not occur until the cancer is advanced and hard to treat, which is why catching it early is so important. 

During a colonoscopy, a physician examines the large intestine for any abnormalities using a colonoscope – a long, flexible tube with a video camera on the end inserted through the colon. Any discovered polyps are removed, often controlling cancer. A colonoscopy, which takes only about a half hour, is recommended every 10 years, beginning at age 45.

Find out how we can help

Talk to your primary care provider to learn more about colon cancer screening recommendations. If you do not have a primary care provider, call (574) 537-5000 for help finding one.