Do colonoscopies screen for colon cancer?

Yes.: There is only one test that has been shown to improve survival and that is checking the stool for blood. One should have a colonoscopy at age 50. So it does allow the physician to view the colonic mucosa and see if any abnormality is detected.

Yes.: That is one of the main reasons for colonoscopy. The gastroenterologist usually can see every part of the colon wall and biopsy suspicious lesions. Often this is curative if found early. While not completely true, consider all polyps to be future cancers and most cancers come from polyps. Screening should begin at age 50 unless there is a history to suggest beginning earlier.