Colonoscopies have saved countless lives, but as colorectal cancer rates rise among younger patients, spreading awareness of these vital screenings is as important as ever.   Colonoscopy is a procedure that examines the rectum and colon for potential health issues, including colorectal cancer. The process involves the insertion of a flexible tube equipped with a camera that can alert doctors to abnormal growths.   “Colonoscopy is the most common form of colorectal cancer screening done in the U.S.,” says Peter Stanich, MD, a gastroenterologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). “It’s helpful because it can both diagnose cancer early and prevent cancer through the removal of precancerous polyps.”   More info: learn all about colonoscopy, including how to schedule your procedure at Ohio State.   Gastrointestinal experts used to recommend that people of average risk begin undergoing colonoscopies at age 50, but as colorectal cancer rates began rising among patients from 45-49, that standard has changed.   “We now recommend starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for almost everyone,” Stanich says. “If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or larger advanced colon polyps, then we may recommend starting at 40 years of age or even earlier.”   Though they’re important components of any comprehensive health plans, colonoscopies can make people nervous. So, it’s important that patients know what to expect when they schedule their procedures.   “There are a couple things that everyone should know about colonoscopy — one is that it almost always involves sedation, so a patient will need a driver on the day of the procedure,” Stanich says. “The other one is the bowel prep. A patient needs to drink a solution to help remove all the stools so we can see on the day of the colonoscopy.”   More about colon cancer: risks, symptoms and treatment options at Ohio State.   The bowel prep can cause patients’ particular concern, but experts have taken steps to reduce some of the discomfort associated with the process.   “There are lots of ways that it’s been made better over the years, including a split bowel prep, so you're not drinking as much at one time,” Stanich says. “So, if you've heard that the prep is unpleasant, I encourage you to talk to your doctor, because there are lots of ways that it's improved.”   Doctors and researchers have also made progress in additional colorectal cancer screening methods, some of which can be conducted at home.   With FIT (fecal immunochemical tests), patients collect stool samples and send to examination teams through the mail. If those samples show signs of concern, the exam teams contact the patient to recommend follow up testing, often including colonoscopy.   “Sometimes people can’t get a day off work, or they just don’t want to do a colonoscopy, but they can do FIT from home every year,” Stanich says. “Those are shown to reduce the risk of death from colorectal cancer and are certainly good tests if patients prefer them.   “We always say the best colorectal cancer screening test is the one that a patient will do.”   Learn all about The Ohio State University’s work to create a cancer-free world through groundbreaking care and research.