How to prepare for bowel cancer screening

Preparing for a colonoscopy worries some people. Consultant gastroenterologist James East, M.D., explains how to prepare for a colonoscopy and how to make it a little easier, such as following a prescribed diet and using laxatives to empty your bowel.

Colonoscopy is a powerful tool to detect irregularities in the large intestine (bowel) and rectum that can lead to bowel cancer. However, preparing for the procedure can cause anxiety for some. Dr. East offers some advice to make the process as painless as possible.

To prepare for a colonoscopy, you may have to follow a prescribed diet and use laxatives to empty your bowel. This makes it easier to obtain quality images.

"Colonoscopy prep is a difficult thing, and it probably is the thing that patients like the least about having a colonoscopy," Dr. East says. "Many of the preps now come in quite a high volume. There may be 2 liters or sometimes even 4 liters to drink."

To help the prep go down a little easier, Dr. East suggests mixing it and putting in the fridge to make it cold. You can also add clear citrus flavoring to make it more palatable.

Oftentimes, people need to use a laxative both the night before and the morning of the procedure. That can be difficult for some people. However, Dr. East says to remember "this is your once-in-10-years examination to try and find the polyps that are going to turn into bowel cancer. So, please, if your doctor asks you to split the dose and get up early, this is one of those times an early start is needed."