Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a 30-minute endoscopic procedure where a flexible scope examines the entire colon, with biopsy or polyp removal as needed. The gold-standard screening test for colorectal cancer.

Black Americans have approximately 20% higher colorectal cancer incidence and 40% higher mortality than white Americans. Most guidelines (ACS, ACG) now recommend Black Americans start colonoscopy screening at age 45 (USPSTF) or earlier (some specialty societies recommend 40 for Black patients), vs 50 in the general population. Most insurance and Medicaid plans cover screening colonoscopy at zero cost under the ACA preventive-services benefit.