Women’s Colonoscopy

Female Colon Cancer: When Do Women Need a Colonoscopy?

Colon cancer is among the most preventable cancers – and yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States for both men and women combined, according to the American Cancer Society. What many women do not realize is that their risk profile differs from men’s in important ways, and that women’s colonoscopies are every bit as essential a part of preventive health care as mammograms or Pap smears.

Board-certified OBGYN Dr. Chadi Haddad, MD in Dearborn Heights, MI is committed to guiding patients through every dimension of their comprehensive health – including knowing when a women’s colonoscopy is the right next step.

Why Women’s Colonoscopies Are Critically Important

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2024 approximately 106,590 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, with women accounting for roughly half of that number. Despite identical overall lifetime risk – approximately one in 23 for women – colon cancer in women is frequently diagnosed at a later stage than in men, partly because women are more likely to attribute early symptoms such as bloating, cramping, or changes in bowel habits to gynecological causes or irritable bowel syndrome.

This diagnostic delay underscores how important it is for women to follow recommended women’s colonoscopy screening guidelines and to have a physician who treats their health comprehensively. Women also have a higher incidence of right-sided colon cancers, which tend to grow more slowly and produce fewer early symptoms – making screening colonoscopies even more valuable for early detection.

When Do Women’s Colonoscopies Begin?

The American Cancer Society, the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Gastroenterology all recommend that average-risk adults – women and men – begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. This recommendation was updated in 2018 from the previous age of 50, reflecting evidence that colorectal cancer incidence among younger adults has been rising steadily. F

or women at average risk who receive a normal result, a repeat women’s colonoscopy is typically recommended every ten years. Women with elevated risk – including those with a personal or family history of colorectal polyps or cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or certain inherited genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis – may need to begin screening earlier and have colonoscopies more frequently. Dr. Chadi Haddad, MD in Dearborn Heights, MI can review each patient’s personal and family history to help determine the right screening timeline.

What Happens During a Women’s Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a gastroenterologist uses a thin, flexible tube equipped with a small camera – called a colonoscope – to examine the full length of the colon and rectum for abnormalities including polyps, inflammation, or early-stage cancer. The procedure is performed under sedation, meaning most patients have no memory of it and feel no discomfort during the examination.

The colonoscope is gently guided through the colon, and the physician views a real-time image on a monitor. If polyps are discovered, they can be removed immediately during the same procedure – which is one of the most powerful aspects of a colonoscopy compared to other screening methods. From a patient’s perspective, the procedure itself typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and recovery from sedation requires a few hours before discharge.

Preparing for a Women’s Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy preparation has a somewhat daunting reputation – but the process has improved considerably in recent years and is far more manageable than many women expect. The goal of preparation is to clear the colon completely so that the physician has an unobstructed view of the entire bowel lining. Preparation typically begins one to two days before the procedure and involves following a clear liquid diet – broths, clear juices, gelatin, and water – combined with a prescribed bowel preparation solution that clears the colon.

Newer low-volume preparation formulas have made the process significantly easier than the older, high-volume preparations many people remember hearing about. Most women find that the preparation day is the least comfortable part of the entire process, but that it is entirely manageable and absolutely worth the peace of mind that a clear colonoscopy result provides.

How Long Do Women’s Colonoscopy Results Take?

If no polyps or abnormalities are found, the performing physician will typically communicate that result to the patient on the same day of the procedure, once sedation has worn off. If polyps are removed during the colonoscopy, the tissue samples are sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis. Pathology results generally return within five to ten business days, at which point the physician will communicate the findings and any recommended follow-up steps. Pathology determines whether removed polyps were benign, pre-cancerous, or cancerous – and that finding directly informs the recommended interval before the next women’s colonoscopy.

Women’s Colonoscopy Statistics Worth Knowing

The preventive power of women’s colonoscopies is well-documented and genuinely compelling. According to the National Cancer Institute, regular colorectal cancer screening reduces mortality from colon cancer by approximately 60 to 70 percent – primarily because colonoscopies allow for the detection and removal of pre-cancerous polyps before they ever progress to cancer.

The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for colon cancer detected at a localized stage – before it has spread beyond the colon wall – is approximately 91 percent, compared to just 14 percent when the cancer is diagnosed after distant metastasis. These statistics make a powerful case for the simple and straightforward act of scheduling a women’s colonoscopy at the recommended time.

Is a Women’s Colonoscopy Right for You Now?

Knowing when to schedule a women’s colonoscopy depends on age, personal health history, family history, and the presence of any symptoms that warrant earlier evaluation. Some women reach the recommended screening age and are ready to proceed, while others may have risk factors that make earlier screening appropriate. Symptoms such as unexplained changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, persistent abdominal discomfort, or unintentional weight loss should always prompt a conversation with a physician regardless of age or screening schedule.

As a board-certified OBGYN providing comprehensive women’s health care in Dearborn Heights, MI, Dr. Chadi Haddad, MD will evaluate each patient’s individual risk factors, discuss the appropriate timing for a women’s colonoscopy, and coordinate the referral and care process every step of the way.

Women’s Colonoscopy | Dearborn Heights, MI

Talk to Dr. Haddad About Whether You Need a Colonoscopy

A women’s colonoscopy is one of the most effective preventive health steps available – and one of the most frequently delayed. If you are 45 or older, have a family history of colon cancer, or have simply been putting off a conversation about colorectal screening, now is the right time to address it.

Schedule an appointment with board-certified OBGYN Dr. Chadi Haddad, MD in Dearborn Heights, MI today, and let Dr. Haddad help you determine whether a women’s colonoscopy belongs in your preventive health plan right now.

OBGYN | Dearborn Heights: 313.561.2200