This infographic describes reasons and benefits to getting a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy can be used to diagnose diseases and conditions such as ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer. A colonoscopy is the only procedure that can detect and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into colon cancer. If polyps are found and removed, they will be sent to pathology for testing.
Colonoscopies are considered the gold standard cancer screening method and are recommended for all women and men ages 50 years and older. Colonoscopies are not as bad as you might think, and the benefits far outweigh any discomfort you may experience. The bowel prep process has improved greatly over the years and is much more pleasant than it used to be. With colorectal cancer being the second most common type of cancer in men, and third most common in women, getting a colonoscopy is a no brainer.
