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Colon cancer screening: Weighing the options

What preparation is involved?

Preparing for colon cancer screening can be uncomfortable or inconvenient, but it's necessary for the test to be effective. As part of your decision, consider your willingness or ability to follow the preparation instructions for specific colon cancer screening tests.

This may — to varying degrees — include avoiding solid food the day before the exam, adjusting your medications, and drinking a laxative solution or using enemas to empty your colon.