Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, behind lung cancer. It is also preventable. Since most all colon cancer develops from colon polyps (small growths of tissue in the colon) that are allowed to continue to grow until they become cancer, the goal for prevention is to find and remove those polyps. The best way to do this is with colonoscopy. Current recommendation is to have your first colonoscopy at age 50 years old (40 year’s old if family history of colon cancer). During your colonoscopy your gastroenterologist will evaluate the inside lining of your colon with a long tube that has a camera on the tip. Any polyps that are found in your colon will be removed at that time. Then, depending on the number and type of polyps you have, you will be put on a surveillance program to catch new ones as they grow.