Synopsis:
At What Age Should You Get Your First Colonoscopy: Colorectal cancer is a big health issue in the U.S Early detection through screening can save lives. One of the best ways to screen for it is with a colon. So, at what age should you have your first one? This guide will discuss current guidelines, risk factors, and what to think about when timing your first colonoscopy.
At What Age Should You Get Your First Colonoscopy, Understanding Colonoscopy :
Before we talk about the right age for your first colonoscopy, let’s quickly explain what it is. A colonoscopy is a medical test that lets a doctor see the inside of your colon (large intestine) and rectum. It checks for changes or problems in your large intestine and rectum, like polyps that might turn into cancer later on.
General Guidelines for First Colonoscopy
Recently, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) made some changes to the guidelines on when to get your first colonoscopy. Here’s what you need to know:
For average-risk folks: If you’re at average risk for colorectal cancer, both groups suggest starting screening at age 45 now. This is different from the old guideline which said to start at 50.For high-risk folks: If you have certain risk factors, you might need to start screenings earlier or go more often. We will look at those risk factors later.
Why the Change to Age 45? So why did they change the recommended age from 50 to 45? There are a few reasons:
More young adults are getting colorectal cancer.We could prevent more cases if we start checking earlier.Detecting cancer sooner means finding it when it’s easier to treat.
Even though 45 is now the new age to start screening for average-risk individuals, it’s always a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider. They can help you figure out when is right for YOU based on your health history and risk factors.
Risk Factors That May Affect When You Should Get Your First Colonoscopy Some things can raise your chances of getting colorectal cancer and might change when you should get your first colonoscopy:
Family history: If someone close to you (like a parent or sibling) had colorectal cancer, you might need to start screenings at age 40 or 10 years before they were diagnosed—whichever comes first.Personal history: If you’ve had inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, you’re at higher risk too.
Genetic syndromes: Some inherited risks, like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis, increase colorectal cancer chances a lot.
Racial background: African Americans usually have a higher risk of getting colorectal cancer and may benefit from starting screening at age 45 or even sooner.
Lifestyle choices: Factors like obesity, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and eating lots of red or processed meats can also up your risk.
If any of these apply to you, it’s important to chat with your healthcare provider about when you should get screened.
Preparing for Your First ColonoscopyOnce you’ve figured out the right age for your first colonoscopy, here’s what you should know about preparing for it:
Bowel prep: You’ll have to clean out your colon before the big day. Usually this means following a special diet & taking laxatives.
Sedation: Most people get some medicine so they’re comfortable during the procedure.
Duration: The actual colonoscopy usually takes around 30-60 minutes.
Recovery: You’ll need someone (a friend or family member) to take you home afterward because you’ll be drowsy.
Alternative Screening MethodsColonoscopy is one of the top ways to screen for colorectal cancer; however, other options do exist:
Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
Stool DNA test
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
CT colonography
But remember! If any of these alternatives show something unusual, a follow-up colonoscopy will probably be needed.
The Importance of Regular Screening No matter what age you start with your first colonoscopy, it’s really important to keep up with regular screenings after that. For most people who have normal results, this means getting another colonoscopy every 10 years. Your doctor may suggest more frequent screenings based on your own risks or results from your first test.