[1217Chic]

I HAD to have one when I was 48....I was bleeding and the doctor removed a huge polyp that was not cancerous but I was told if I ignored it then there would have been a problem.

[IndyTiger]

I had my first colonoscopy at age 50, a non-cancerous polyp was found and removed. I also was told if it had been ignored there would have been a problem several years down the line. Had repeat procedure at age 53 with the same results. My procedure at age 56 was clear.

My neighbor died of colon cancer about five years ago at age 51. He had a history of cancer in the family and had been told to have a colonoscopy starting at age 40, but did not do so until too late.