Disclaimer: The ideas and suggestions written below are provided for general educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or care.
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month which begs the question, have you scheduled your colonoscopy yet? Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, if you are experiencing symptoms or simply checking things out as a preventative measure, a colonoscopy is a powerful diagnostic tool that can empower you to understand your body better, and in some cases can literally save your life. So pat yourself on the back—this is important and we are proud of you!
Even thinking about a colonoscopy and the infamous “colon prep” can be intimidating. But there are ways to make the prep and procedure more manageable. Read on for more tips on how to make your colonoscopy as smooth and comfortable as possible.
What is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is an exam used to look for changes—such as swollen, irritated tissue, polyps, and in rare cases, cancer—in the large intestine (also known as the colon) and the rectum. During the procedure, which is conducted by a gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon, a long-flexible tube (called a colonoscope) that is affixed with a light and camera will be inserted into the rectum while the patient is typically fully or partially sedated. The camera is connected to a screen that allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon. If necessary, polyps or other types of abnormalities will be removed and biopsied.
Why Are Colonoscopies So Important?
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis in the U.S. Colonoscopies are the gold standard for detecting these cancers in their early stages, which is crucial for long-term health. This procedure can identify and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. In addition, colonoscopies can identify ulcerative colitis, internal hemerrhoids, Crohn’s disease, and other gastrointestinal issues.
Routine colonoscopies are recommended starting at age 45, and earlier for those who are at high-risk due to family history, lifestyle factors, or medical conditions.Your doctor may order a screening if you are experiencing symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or changes in your bowel movements.
“My doctor recommended a colonoscopy when I found blood in the toilet. I’ll be honest—seeing the toilet filled with red blood was terrifying for me, and I was glad my doctor took it seriously and immediately scheduled me to be checked. I’m very lucky that they did not find any cancer, but rather some pre-cancerous polyps that they removed and internal hemorrhoids (which were the source of blood).”
Anastasia, Betty Founder & CEO
Most Common Fears and Misconceptions
- “It’ll hurt!” Most patients receive sedation, and you will most likely be out like a light, or at least twilight, for the whole thing. Make sure you tell your doctor if you are feeling particularly anxious or uncomfortable and they can adjust your sedation accordingly. The actual procedure only takes about 15-30 minutes, while you can expect to be at the clinic or hospital about 2-3 hours total.
- “It’s only for old people.” The recommended age for regular colonoscopies is 45 with a frequency of 5-10 years, but there are many people who get them younger and more frequently depending on family history.
- “The prep is awful!” We’ll be honest, colon “prep” is not how we’d choose to spend our day off. But you have options for your colonoscopy prep – make sure you ask your doctor which one is best for you!
- “It’s embarrassing.” The doctors, nurses and techs involved in your colonoscopy do this multiple times a day, every day. And they, more than anyone, can understand if you are feeling a bit nervous or embarrassed.
Prep: Getting Down to Business
An essential part of a colonoscopy actually happens for the 3-5 days BEFORE your procedure—it’s called “colon prep” and it’s a process that helps clean out your colon so that the doctor can see everything clearly. The process includes making some dietary changes and drinking a special liquid or tablets that your doctor will prescribe. The point is for you to poop EVERYTHING out of your system.
Your physician will give you a handout/checklist on all the steps required to complete your “prep”. And while every prep is different, there are some general tips that might help make this more comfortable for you!
If you do not prep correctly, you may be asked to return for a follow-up colonoscopy. Take our advice—prep like a pro and get that colon squeaky clean the first time. While every doctor/health system may have a different process (and they should give you a handout explaining all the steps they want you to take), here’s some basic tips on how we do it:
- > 1 Week before:
- Review your physician’s “prep” instructions and make your plan: purchase any groceries or items you may need, arrange your ride for the day of the procedure, and if possible, request/schedule two days off from work or any other commitments (one day for “prep” and one day for the procedure).
- Your physician MAY ask you to stop taking certain medications or supplements. It’s very important that you follow these instructions.
- 3-5 days before:
- While this seems counter-intuitive, avoid high-fiber foods like raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. These foods, especially those with seeds, can be harder to digest, thus making prep more difficult. You can find a chart of recommended foods here.
- 1 day before:
- This is the prep day everyone’s talking about when you are asked to stick to a “clear liquid diet.” Stock up on broth, apple juice, jello, and electrolyte drinks (but avoid anything in red, blue, or purple). You can also have popsicles, which makes things a little fun.
- Evening Before Procedure:
- Your doctor’s office will supply you with a laxative medication (sometimes prescription, sometimes “over the counter”) which is taken orally and can come in a form of liquid, powder, or tablet.
- The “OG” of preps comes in powder form, which then needs to be added to water to make about an entire gallon of liquid solution (which we’ll be honest, is a lot to drink). This solution is designed to flush you out, resulting in progressively more watery stools (diarrhea).
- Always follow the instructions from your doctor, but typically you will be asked to consume about half to two thirds of your jug the evening before your colonoscopy and the rest the morning of your appointment. Usually, you will be asked to drink a few cups of liquid every 15-30 minutes.
- We have some tips to make this easier below, but also know that your physician MAY have access to other laxative options that are about half the volume.
6 Ways to Survive Colon Prep
- Make sure your bathroom is stocked with toilet paper. If you know, you know. If possible, use a bidet, bidet attachment, or a toilet paper foam to wipe which can be less irritating to delicate skin.
- Purchase a “barrier cream” (aka a diaper cream with zinc oxide) if your bum gets irritated from frequent bowel movements. We like this one from Babo Botanicals.
- Chill the laxative solution as early as the instructions allow. It goes down MUCH easier when it’s cold.
- Use a straw to drink the solution, it helps bypass the taste buds
- Keep a “chaser” – just make sure it’s a clear liquid!
- Set a timer for each dose of liquid and try to zone out in between like your favorite streaming show – our team’s current (guilt FREE) favorites:
- Dr. Belizaire: Schitz Creek, Selling Sunset, and anything cult-related ;).
- Anastasia: Nobody Wants This, The Parisian Agency
- Sarah: Nordic Noir: The Åre Murders, The Letdown, Wellmania, Bad Sisters
- Erin: Running Point, Kinda Pregnant, You’re Cordially Invited
“Personally, I liked chasing my laxative drink down with an ice-cold unflavored sparkling water and when it got really icky, the juice of a fresh lemon. The grossest part for me was not necessarily the taste of the drink, but how thick and syrupy it was. The lemon helped cut that.”
Anastasia, Betty Founder & CEO
Procedure Day
If your procedure includes sedation (and most will) you will not be allowed to drive yourself home so likely you will be dropped off by a friend/family member. Once you’re checked in, you’ll be changed into a gown and sedation will be administered (usually via an IV). The procedure itself takes only 15-30 minutes, but you will need to be monitored in a recovery room until sedation wears off. Always follow the doctor’s instructions, but typically you can begin to resume solids within a few hours after the procedure. Just stay away from booze and especially heavy/spicy foods for the first 12-24 hours.
“I had two female nurses/techs that immediately put me at ease. We “shot the shit” (pun intended) and I was as comfortable as can be until a third tech entered the room. He was tall, dark and handsome with arm tattoos (mmmkay) and as professional and as nice as could be. His name was Javier and he was going to be “manning the scope” that day. That was the first moment I was really embarrassed about random humans seeing this part of my body. Luckily, soon after they gave me IV sedation and I was lights out until post-op, where Javier was nowhere to be seen.”
Anastasia, Betty Founder & CEO
You Got This! A Final Word of Encouragement
Taking care of your health is a brave and important thing to do. Planning ahead and having a sense of humor about the whole thing will make it so much easier. And remember, you’re not alone. Millions of people get colonoscopies every year and at Betty, we’re creating a community devoted to empowering women to love all parts of themselves, including their colon ;).
If you are willing to share your colonoscopy journey on social media, first of all, bravo! Make sure to tag us @bettyhealth.co, we’d love to support you along the way!