It’s so commonplace that even the President gets them, but it’s the procedure we’re least inclined to discuss: The humble colonoscopy. We get it; the colonoscopy is a little more invasive than a tongue depressor, but consider this: Almost 60 percent of colon-cancer related deaths might have been avoided with early screening.
Now, doctors recommend that everybody over the age of 50 undergo the procedure every 5 to 10 years, but some people should have them earlier – for instance, if two or more first-degree relatives have had colon polyps, the American Cancer Society recommends that you have your first colonoscopy either at age 40 or ten years before the age when your relative's polyp was found, whichever is earlier.
But do you really need to dread this very common procedure? Of course not; we only fear what we don’t understand, so check out our simple guide to the simple colonoscopy, and rest easy in the knowledge that you’re doing your part to keep your digestive tract healthy and cared for. |
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