A colonoscopy has been almost like a rite of passage when turning 50.

That meant drinking that awful prep liquid, spending hours on the toilet and suffering from a raw backside. And that’s before your dignity was ignored if not destroyed during the procedure.

But since colon cancer diagnoses among younger patients — those 40 to 49 — have risen 15 percent over the past two decades, the medical community lowered the age for that first routine colorectal cancer screening to 45.

No matter what age you were fortunate enough to have your first colonoscopy, you may be dreading the fact that you’re supposed to repeat the procedure every 10 years.

However, the good news is some of us may get a reprieve…

Risk level matters

Researchers at Harvard Medical School took stock of colorectal cancer screening results and colorectal cancer incidence across more than 195,000 people, specifically comparing the rate of colon cancer between two groups: people who received negative results on their initial colorectal cancer screening and those who had no colon cancer screening at all.

The initial results showed that those who had a negative cancer screening were at significantly lower risk of developing colorectal cancer than those who had not yet been screened.

The researchers also discovered that among people who underwent a colonoscopy and received a negative screening result, it took 16 years for participants at an intermediate-risk of colorectal cancer (due to negative lifestyle factors) to experience a similar cancer incidence as the high-risk group at 10 years.

Even better, the research showed that participants at low risk of colon cancer thanks to a healthy diet and regular exercise wouldn’t reach the 10-year cancer incidence experienced by the high-risk group for a full 25 years after their initial negative colonoscopy results.

In other words, as long as your first colonoscopy was clear of any signs of cancer or polyps, you may not have to do the deed every 10 years. The researchers believe that colonoscopy guidelines could be altered to be more individualized rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

The colonoscopy guidelines that are right for you

Of course, they also point out that it’s likely that any changes in the guidelines themselves will take time. Therefore, they recommend talking to your doctor about whether or not it’s safe to extend your personal screening interval beyond the recommended 10 years.

According to the researchers, it’s certainly an option if you live a low-risk lifestyle and have had a negative screening (no cancer or polyps) on your previous colonoscopy. A low-risk lifestyle for colon cancer involves maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limiting red and processed meats, moderate alcohol consumption and not smoking.

However, make sure your doctor knows the extent of your family history with colon cancer — and no matter what you and your doctor decide, be alert to signs of cancer that need attention between colonoscopies.

These include:

• Persistent changes in your normal bowel habits
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Blood in your stool (you might experience either dark stools or see bright red blood)
• Rectal bleeding
• Narrowed or pencil-thin stools
• Abdominal discomfort or pain, which can include bloating or cramps
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue or weakness
• Feeling as if your bowels won’t completely empty

It’s also important to note that in addition to a colonoscopy, there are four additional ways to screen for colon cancer, three of which are completely non-invasive, making it a much easier and more comfortable process.

Sources:

Time for a rethink of colonoscopy guidelines? — The Harvard Gazette

Colon Cancer: 8 Early Warning Signs & 4 Stages — MedicineNet

What to know about colonoscopies and cancer risk — Easy Health Options