Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is done to:

• Check for colorectal cancer or polyps.
  • Most experts, including the American Gastroenterological Association, recommend that people with no risk factors for colorectal cancer start screening tests at age 50.
  • The American Gastroenterological Association recommends that people with a family history of colon cancer have a colonoscopy at age 40, or 10 years before the age that the relative got cancer.
  • If you are at increased risk for colon cancer, talk to your doctor about which test is best for you and how often you should have the test.
• Check for the cause of blood in the stool or rectal bleeding.
• Check for the cause of dark or black stools.
• Check for the cause of chronic diarrhea.
• Check for the cause of iron deficiency anemia.
• Check for the cause of sudden, unexplained weight loss.
• Check the colon after abnormal results from a stool test or a barium enema test.
• Watch or treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Check for the cause of long-term, unexplained belly pain.