An open access colonoscopy allows healthy, age-appropriate patients to easily schedule a screening colonoscopy, usually without a pre-procedure visit.

You may be eligible for open access colonoscopy if you consider yourself healthy and any of the following scenarios apply to you:

Scenario 1

  • You are between the ages of 50-70.
  • You have an average risk for colorectal cancer. This means you have no first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer or polyps, and you have no personal history of polyps, colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease of the colon.
  • Your last colonoscopy was 10 years ago or more, your last flexible sigmoidoscopy was 5 years ago or more, OR you have never had a colon exam.

Scenario 2

  • You are between the ages of 40-70.
  • You have a high risk for colorectal cancer. This means you have one or more first-degree relative(s) with colorectal cancer or polyps under age 70 at diagnosis, and/or you have a personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease of the colon.
  • Your last colonoscopy 5 years ago or more OR you have never had a colon exam.

Consultation is highly recommended for people with “very high risk” for colorectal cancer due to family history of colorectal cancer affecting multiple family members, especially if any cancers are diagnosed under the age of 50.

Find out more about colonoscopy prep and procedures