The importance of a colonoscopy

Every year doctors urge their patients to have a yearly colonoscopy. This test helps detect hidden cancerous polups that will turn in to cancer later on. The test involves inserting a thin flexible tube with a small camera, which allows the doctors to see inside of the entire length of the colon. There is also a new virtual colonoscopy that is available to patients that will also allow the doctors to see the entire colon. This procedure is not as invasive as the regular colonoscopy, but it is also just as accurate. There are other procedures that doctors can use to see inside of the colon to check for polups, but they are not as accurate. The reason why these other procedures like the sigmoidoscopy are not accurate is, because they do not allow the doctors to investigate the entire length of the colon. Many doctors warn their patientst about this fact, and about the importance of getting their entire colon viewed. The age for having this test done varies based on your family health history. Having the proper procedure is very important and making this choice could either save your life or possibly shorten it.