When Should You Get Your First Colonoscopy?
If you’ve never had a colonoscopy, you may be wondering when you actually need to schedule your first one. For most adults at average risk for colorectal cancer, screening should begin at age 45.
However, age isn’t the only factor that matters. Your family history, personal medical history, and certain gastrointestinal symptoms may mean your doctor recommends a colonoscopy sooner.
What Age Should You Get Your First Colonoscopy?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults beginning at age 45 and continuing through age 75. For adults ages 76 to 85, screening decisions are generally made individually based on factors such as overall health and previous screening history.
Colonoscopy is one of several recommended colorectal cancer screening options. For an average-risk adult with a normal colonoscopy, screening colonoscopy is generally performed every 10 years.
Why Does Colonoscopy Screening Start at 45?
Colorectal cancer can develop without causing noticeable symptoms, particularly in its early stages. Screening gives doctors an opportunity to identify abnormalities before symptoms develop.
A colonoscopy also allows your gastroenterologist to identify and remove colon polyps during the procedure. Most polyps are not cancerous, but some can develop into cancer over time. Removing these polyps can help prevent colorectal cancer.
Who May Need a Colonoscopy Before Age 45?
Some patients may need to begin screening earlier or undergo colonoscopy more frequently.
Your doctor may recommend earlier screening if you have:
A family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps
A personal history of colon polyps
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
Certain inherited conditions that increase colorectal cancer risk
Other individual risk factors identified by your physician
The right starting age depends on your individual history, so patients at increased risk should discuss screening with their gastroenterologist rather than waiting until age 45.
Do You Need to Wait Until 45 If You Have Symptoms?
No. The age-45 recommendation applies to routine screening in people without symptoms who are at average risk.
A colonoscopy can also be used as a diagnostic procedure. Your physician may recommend one at a younger age to investigate symptoms such as:
Rectal bleeding
Persistent changes in bowel habits
Ongoing diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Unexplained weight loss
Having one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have colorectal cancer. There are many possible causes, but persistent or concerning gastrointestinal symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
What Happens During Your First Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy allows a gastroenterologist to examine the inside of your rectum and colon using a thin, flexible instrument equipped with a camera.
Patients typically receive sedation or anesthesia for the procedure. If your physician identifies a polyp, it can often be removed during the same colonoscopy and sent to a laboratory for examination.
A colonoscopy itself typically takes less than an hour, although you should plan additional time for preparation and recovery.
How Do You Know If You're Due?
If you're 45 or older and have never undergone colorectal cancer screening, now is a good time to speak with your physician about your options.
If you're younger than 45 but have a family history, other risk factors, or concerning gastrointestinal symptoms, ask your physician whether earlier evaluation is appropriate.
Schedule a Colonoscopy in Smithtown, NY
Smithtown Ambulatory Surgical Center provides outpatient colonoscopy services for patients in Smithtown and surrounding Long Island communities.
If your gastroenterologist has recommended a colonoscopy, contact Smithtown ASC to learn more about the procedure and preparing for your appointment.
This information is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Your physician can recommend a screening schedule based on your health history and individual risk factors.If you’ve never had a colonoscopy, you may be wondering when you actually need to schedule your first one. For most adults at average risk for colorectal cancer, screening should begin at age 45.
However, age isn’t the only factor that matters. Your family history, personal medical history, and certain gastrointestinal symptoms may mean your doctor recommends a colonoscopy sooner.
What Age Should You Get Your First Colonoscopy?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults beginning at age 45 and continuing through age 75. For adults ages 76 to 85, screening decisions are generally made individually based on factors such as overall health and previous screening history.
Colonoscopy is one of several recommended colorectal cancer screening options. For an average-risk adult with a normal colonoscopy, screening colonoscopy is generally performed every 10 years.
Why Does Colonoscopy Screening Start at 45?
Colorectal cancer can develop without causing noticeable symptoms, particularly in its early stages. Screening gives doctors an opportunity to identify abnormalities before symptoms develop.
A colonoscopy also allows your gastroenterologist to identify and remove colon polyps during the procedure. Most polyps are not cancerous, but some can develop into cancer over time. Removing these polyps can help prevent colorectal cancer.
Who May Need a Colonoscopy Before Age 45?
Some patients may need to begin screening earlier or undergo colonoscopy more frequently.
Your doctor may recommend earlier screening if you have:
A family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps
A personal history of colon polyps
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
Certain inherited conditions that increase colorectal cancer risk
Other individual risk factors identified by your physician
The right starting age depends on your individual history, so patients at increased risk should discuss screening with their gastroenterologist rather than waiting until age 45.
Do You Need to Wait Until 45 If You Have Symptoms?
No. The age-45 recommendation applies to routine screening in people without symptoms who are at average risk.
A colonoscopy can also be used as a diagnostic procedure. Your physician may recommend one at a younger age to investigate symptoms such as:
Rectal bleeding
Persistent changes in bowel habits
Ongoing diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Unexplained weight loss
Having one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have colorectal cancer. There are many possible causes, but persistent or concerning gastrointestinal symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
What Happens During Your First Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy allows a gastroenterologist to examine the inside of your rectum and colon using a thin, flexible instrument equipped with a camera.
Patients typically receive sedation or anesthesia for the procedure. If your physician identifies a polyp, it can often be removed during the same colonoscopy and sent to a laboratory for examination.
A colonoscopy itself typically takes less than an hour, although you should plan additional time for preparation and recovery.
How Do You Know If You're Due?
If you're 45 or older and have never undergone colorectal cancer screening, now is a good time to speak with your physician about your options.
If you're younger than 45 but have a family history, other risk factors, or concerning gastrointestinal symptoms, ask your physician whether earlier evaluation is appropriate.
Schedule a Colonoscopy in Smithtown, NY
Smithtown Ambulatory Surgical Center provides outpatient colonoscopy services for patients in Smithtown and surrounding Long Island communities.
If your gastroenterologist has recommended a colonoscopy, contact Smithtown ASC to learn more about the procedure and preparing for your appointment.
This information is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Your physician can recommend a screening schedule based on your health history and individual risk factors.