A colonoscopy is an endoscopic exam, during which a long, flexible tube is inserted into the rectum. The tube allows your doctor to view the inside of the colon, and if needed, remove polyps or abnormal tissue. Also called a coloscopy, the exam can help identify problems in the intestine, like abdominal pain or blood in stool, and screen for colon cancer. If you’re age 50 or older, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years, or sometimes more frequently.
