I go to my annual checkup soon. should i ask for a colonoscopy since i'm almost 52?

Prevention is best: Colon cancer is preventable. Colonoscopy screening based on accepted national guidelines (age 45 for select populations, age 50 for most other americans) is the gold standard. While not perfect, colonoscopy detects and removes many pre-cancerous polyps prior to cancer development. Key preventatives also include: mediterranean high fiber, low fat diets, proper weight, baby aspirin, avoid tobacco.

Yes, incidence of Ca: (Cancer) from colon polyps ↑es more rapidly after ~age 40, more rapidly after age 50, from general population data. Does this apply to you? Maybe yes, maybe no. How do you find out? Have you colon examined by someone who will do a high quality exam, complete with many color photos (video better, yet few do this) so that you can review, verify & understand what they found, polyps & diverticuliti.