March 2026

Don’t Be Afraid of a Colonoscopy

What’s more frightening: a colonoscopy or colon cancer? If you get colonoscopies as often as your doctor recommends, you may never have to worry about colon cancer. That’s because colonoscopies are the only screening test that can both detect and remove polyps during the same procedure, preventing polyps from potentially developing into cancer over time.

Colonoscopies are nothing to be afraid of! Here’s what you can expect:

1. The night before your procedure, you’ll take a laxative (in liquid or pill form) to clean out your bowels. Expect frequent trips to the toilet. Your final laxative dose is typically in the middle of the night.

2. In the morning, your companion will drive you to your appointment. Once you arrive, it won’t be long before you’re called back to get ready for your procedure.

3. You’ll undress, put on a hospital gown, and your vitals will be checked. Your doctor will stop by to ensure you’re comfortable and to answer any questions.

4. You’ll be taken to the procedure room where the anesthesiologist will chat with you and administer sedation.

5. During the 15–30-minute procedure, your doctor examines your rectum and colon with a thin flexible scope. If polyps are found, they will be removed.

6. You’ll wake up a bit groggy and probably hungry. Your companion will drive you home, where you’ll likely enjoy a snack and a few hours of snoozing. That’s it!

This not-so-scary procedure is what makes colon cancer (the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.) largely preventable, treatable, and beatable. Read more about “The Modern Colonoscopy Procedure: What You Can Expect” in our latest blog.

If you’re due for a colonoscopy – typically starting at age 45, then at regular intervals per your doctor’s advice – take the next step. Request a colonoscopy.

What to Eat (and Avoid) Before a Colonoscopy

Preparing for a colonoscopy isn’t complicated. It starts a few days before the procedure, when you’ll be asked to adjust your diet. The goal is a clean colon on procedure day. This means:

• Eating foods that are low in fiber and easier to digest.  
• Avoiding high-fiber foods, which can linger in your colon. This includes foods with seeds or skins, such as whole grains, nuts, popcorn, beans, and raw fruits and vegetables.

The day before your colonoscopy, you’ll switch to a clear liquid diet only: water, clear broth, apple juice, white grape juice, sports drinks, plain coffee or tea (no cream), and clear gelatin. You’ll need to avoid liquids that are red or purple, as they can be mistaken for blood during the exam.

Around midnight, you’ll stop eating and drinking (except the liquid needed to take your laxative).

For more details, read our blog, “The Countdown to Colonoscopy Diet: What to Eat Before and After,” and review our prep instructions.

A Smarter Colonoscopy: Now Offering AI-Assisted Screenings

Cincinnati GI was the first in our region to offer AI-assisted colonoscopies. The GI Genius colonoscopy uses artificial intelligence to help detect colorectal polyps that may otherwise be missed during a colonoscopy.

The GI Genius colonoscopy doesn’t affect how you prep for your procedure, but it does give your doctor an ever-vigilant second observer to view your colon better.

If you are interested in an AI-assisted colonoscopy, be sure to ask when scheduling.

Learn more about the colonoscopy procedure.

Relief from Internal Hemorrhoids: A Simple In-Office Option

Swollen veins inside your rectum are called internal hemorrhoids. They can develop from pregnancy, straining during a bowel movement, obesity, frequent heavy lifting, or a low-fiber diet. You usually can’t see or feel them, but you may notice bleeding, itching, irritation, or pain during bowel movements.

Hemorrhoid banding is an in-office procedure to shrink internal hemorrhoids by cutting off their blood supply. A rubber band is placed at the base of the hemorrhoid to prevent blood from feeding it. Without blood flow, the hemorrhoid shrinks and falls off.

Get answers to your questions about hemorrhoid banding to decide if it’s right for you.