Prevention messagesPoster · 23 of 28
Before Cancer
What comes before cancer may be the best chance to prevent it.
Colonoscopy can find and remove detected precancerous polyps during the same exam, before they have a chance to become cancer.
The evidence behind it
The full caption
Some polyps can develop into cancer. Finding and removing detected precancerous polyps is an opportunity for prevention; colonoscopy does not prevent every cancer.
Colonoscopy can find and remove detected precancerous polyps during the same exam. It can also miss lesions and has preparation, sedation, bleeding, perforation, and other burdens or risks. Stool-based screening remains a guideline-supported option; a positive stool test requires colonoscopy. Choose a screening plan you can complete with your clinician.