Preparation Guidelines

Prior to undergoing a colonoscopy, the bowel needs to be thoroughly cleansed. This enables the physician to easily see all areas of the bowel wall. The prep consists of either pills, liquids, enemas or a combination of these. Your physician will determine which prep is best for you. The prep is usually started the evening before the procedure.

Click the link below to see an excellent presentation from 13ABC News on the colonoscopy procedure:

Colonoscopy - Question and Answers - Getting the procedure done

Early Detection = Curable, Treatable, Beatable!

Early Detection Screening detects pre-cancerous polyps and removes them
If a mother, father, brother, sister are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. “Early Warning” screening should begin at least 10 years before the age they were diagnosed.
- For example diagnosed at 48; screening should begin at 38

Early Detection/Prevention

Why are these tests so important?

Removing polyps prevents colorectal cancer from ever starting!
That is why we say it is “the cancer no one has to have”
Cancers found in an early stage are more easily treated. Nine out of ten people whose colon cancer is discovered early (before it breaks through the colon wall) will be alive five years later.
That is why screening is so important! Remember, colorectal cancer in Lucas County is found in later stages such as stage III or IV when it has spread outside the colon wall and/or spread to other organs.
Once colorectal cancer has spread additional treatment is needed such as surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation.