Colonoscopy: The Most Used Screening Test for Colon Cancer, Here Are the Benefits and Risks

While the primary purpose of a colonoscopy is to prevent or detect colon cancer, it can go beyond to detect other conditions like diverticula.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Colonoscopy is the most widely used screening test for colon cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.

It is considered the gold standard and is more accurate than two other common screening methods—stool tests and sigmoidoscopy—because it allows doctors to see the entire colon and remove any potentially problematic polyps during the same procedure.