The colonscopy is the basic life-saving test for hereditary colon cancer families. This medical procedure enables a physician to examine the entire colon using a slender, flexible, tube-like instrument with a light. There are two main parts to this test that give you control over the situation: attitude and “prep” technique.

Looking on the bright side is the attitude that can make it much easier to have regularly scheduled colonoscopies. The bright side is that colonoscopy provides a way for individuals at-risk for colon cancer to take an active role in their health care. Having a colonoscopy can help provide relief from cancer worry. This procedure can also help prevent cancer because benign polyps that may develop into cancer can be removed painlessly during colonoscopy. It is also a way to screen for an early, curable cancer.

The colonoscopy is a partnership between you and the doctor. Your part is to arrive with the cleanest colon possible. Before your colonoscopy, you will be given instructions for preparing your colon. These instructions, commomly called “the prep,” vary from doctor to doctor and institution to institution, and the instructions you receive should be followed carefully.

Here is a brief description of a tried and true “prep” method. The day before the colonoscopy you consume only clear liquids, and then you will spend the afternoon or evening drinking a gallon of GoLytely®, NuLytely®, or CoLyte® until it is finished. The process of drinking a gallon of “prep” is unpleasant but not painful and takes 3-5 hours. The first hour after beginning “the prep,” you'll spend most of your time in the bathroom, but shortly after the last glass the process stops and the good news is—you can sleep all night with the cleanest, emptiest colon possible.

A clear liquid diet includes soup, fruit juices, desserts and beverage. For soup fat-free clear broth, consommés, or bouillon is recommended. Cranapple and pulp-free orange juices are good. Use any (except red) plain Jell-O® without milk or fruit. For a variety, try Italian ices and Popsicles®. Drink plain tea (hot or cold), non-red carbonated beverages, black coffee, decaffeinated coffee or tea, clear fruit-flavored drinks, Crystal Light®, or non-red Cool-Aid®. Avoid red food dye.

The challenge of the preparation is drinking “the prep” liquid on schedule. Here are some hints. Drink each glass quickly and try swishing with mouthwash in between. If you throw-up while drinking the solution, stop for 1 hour, and then start drinking again. If you vomit again, stop the prep and call your doctor for instructions. Because individuals with a family history of colon cancer may need to have frequent colonoscopies, it is important to talk with your doctor about problems you have with the preparation process, and if there are any changes that can be made to help the process go more smoothly.

The day of your colonoscopy you will be given drugs to make you comfortable and unaware that you are having the colonoscopy. Having the drug in your system requires that you are in the care of an adult friend or relative and that you rest while the drug wears off. You may NOT drive a car, operate machinery, go to work, eat out at a restaurant, or sign important papers.

In summary, colonoscopies can defeat colon cancer. Hereditary colon cancer families need to protect themselves with regularly scheduled colonoscopies. A good attitude and good “prep” technique give you control over the situation and give the next generation a good example to follow.