I went for my first colonoscopy: Here’s how it went and what they found

When I decided to write this blog, I wasn’t sure what would be more awkward: Telling the world I turned 45 or talking about my colonoscopy. It turned out it was neither.

As I continue coming to terms with being an adult, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I don’t run with scissors, I don’t talk about fight club, and I’ve put on way too many seat belts to just turn around and skip routine cancer screenings.

The current recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for people of average risk is to begin screening for colorectal cancer at 45. While there are several colorectal cancer screening options out there, I opted for a colonoscopy, an option that would allow the opportunity to remove any precancerous polyps right then and there. This is how I found myself gearing up for a total colon cleanse and a few hours at an outpatient clinic.

A lot of people complain about the prep behind a colonoscopy, but it really wasn’t that bad. Yes, there was an impressive number of trips to the bathroom involved but it was without the hassle of illness or the regret of flaunting food safety guidelines. Instead, your pharmacist will give you something to drink to help clear out your system. It doesn’t taste great, but there’s a trick to let you skip all that. Just use a straw and stick it to the back of your throat and with a little finesse, you can drink it without any getting on your tongue. Once I was all cleaned out and it was time to leave, I grabbed my husband as my plus one—you’ll need to have someone with you to drive you home as you’ll be pretty groggy after the procedure—and hit the road.

During the procedure, my doctor found and removed two polyps. Most polyps don’t become cancerous, but some do, so they just take them out. Removing the polyps is a chance to stop the second deadliest type of cancer* before it starts. During the procedure, I got a delightful nap and woke up surrounded by the nicest people who kept asking me my name and date of birth even though we had been previously introduced. I’ve honestly had worse first dates.

While adults of average risk receive a colonoscopy every 10 years, I’ll be back in five because of the polyps found this time around. If the thought of a colonoscopy still makes you nervous, talk to your doctor. There may be alternative screening methods available to you—some can even be done from the comfort of your home.

This has been a great year and I’m proud to be doing everything I can to make sure I’m around for many more. Telling people about my experience has been very rewarding. It’s an easy way to bring up the importance of preventive care and to show people that their health is important to me.

It’s not always easy to ask for help. But with prevention, you’re asking for pre-help which, as it turns out, is remarkably easy and completely free of stress or anxiety. So, if you’re 45 and haven’t been in yet for your routine screening, give your doctor a call today! You’ll have one less thing to worry about and an interesting story to tell people. Just maybe not at the dinner table.

*In the U.S.