11 Preventive Health Screening Tests Doctors Recommend

2. Colorectal screening (colonoscopy / FIT)

Colorectal screening looks for polyps or early cancers in the colon and rectum. Current guidance recommends average-risk adults begin screening at age 45; options include colonoscopy every 10 years or annual at-home fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) depending on preference and access (USPSTF; American Cancer Society). What to expect for colonoscopy: you’ll follow a clear-liquid diet and take a bowel-prep laxative the day before to empty your colon. On the day, you receive sedation and a physician uses a flexible scope to examine the colon lining; the procedure often takes 20 to 60 minutes. FIT involves a simple stool sample sent to a lab with no prep. Preparation tips: follow bowel prep instructions precisely for a quality exam, arrange a ride home after colonoscopy, and ask your clinic about antibiotics only if you have certain heart or valve conditions. If polyps are found, they can often be removed during colonoscopy, which prevents many cancers. If you live a busy life, FIT kits can be done around home routines and are an effective screening choice when done yearly and followed by colonoscopy if positive.