Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The best prevention for colorectal cancer is screening, and the gold standard for that is a colonoscopy.

"I think colonoscopies do save lives and I know it's a process most people don't want to think about but they're necessary I believe." Rick Savige knows that a colonoscopy is a lifesaving test. He recently had a polyp surgically removed --- and if that wasn't found during a routine colonoscopy-it had a very high chance of turning into cancer.

Rick says, "If it will save your life, why would you put it off?"

Gastroenterologist Dr. Raju explains, "The colonscopy is the best screening tool out there. All it takes is about 20 minutes or less from start to finish of the procedure."

Dr. Raju says that your colon needs to be empty for the colonoscopy. To prepare for the procedure you may have to follow a special diet and you will also take one or several types of laxatives the night before the procedure. "Most people say that's the uncomfortable part of it all. We have better cleansing and bowel preps now a days to lessen patient discomfort."

Rick says, "It's a little bit uncomfortable because you have to do at home of coarse, it's just a necessary thing to be done and if you don't do it properly they can't get a proper picture to help you out."

If your physician does find anything that does look abnormal during the colonoscopy, typically a biopsy is taken then sent to the lab to have it checked for any cancerous material.

Doctors recommend that colonoscopies should be used for most people as a regular screening technique beginning at age 50, earlier if you're in a high risk category. You should talk to your physician if you have any concerns.