At what age should a colonoscopy be started?
I am 40 years old. Should I have a colonoscopy at this age? ~ EwaJ
Prophylactic colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years in all people over 50 years of age. It is a routine prophylactic procedure aimed at early detection of all changes in the large intestine that may constitute the starting point for the development of cancer of this organ. However, in some people – who have a family risk of developing colorectal cancer – this test should start earlier and need to be repeated more often. At your age (provided there is no family burden), it would be a good strategy to do home occult blood tests every year – you will get them at any pharmacy. A positive result of such a test should always be verified by colonoscopy. Of course, regardless of the prophylactic indications, the indication for colonoscopy are also any disturbing symptoms from the large intestine (long-lasting and alternating diarrhea and constipation, flatulence, “pencil-like” stools, visible blood in the stool, etc.
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