It's all very good the rates of those being checked are up, but for many of us, especially on fixed incomes, cost is a big factor in whether or not to get a colonoscopy. I had finally gotten my nerve up and made an appointment to get it done, being on medicare, I made sure it was covered. It was, but just the procedure, everything else would be billed to me. After I had to pay $60-80 for the pre-op meds, I would be billed for the use of the surgery, anesthetics, supplies etc. I can't afford it. And they wonder why we don't get this stuff done. It's bad enough dealing with the simple humiliation of going through that torture, but to be forced to pay for it? I'll take my chances.

I can't afford it that is why I don't do it.

If I die younger I will no longer be a burden on the society that I worked hard for all my life but now that I am older the society does nothing in return for me.

I had the thoughts of becoming a Mexican citizen then coming here illegally to get the help I need.

I really feel that "encouraging" a useful but also very costly test in current economical situation is against medical ethics. We recently paid for one such a procedure which had 100% medical indication. Out-of-pocket checks came to $500 while corporate plan paid remaining 85%+. It should be impossible for a non-insured or self-insured patient to pay several thousands of bucks for such a screening, and if it finds something questionable (30% probability), then it should be repeated every 2 or 5 years!

Many communities have cancer support agencies or non-profit organizations that can help you pay for tests that are recommended to screen for cancers. Do a little research and ask the folks at the local gastroenterology clinic.

This one is in NW Arkansas: www.hopecancerresources.org

If you need help paying for required or recommended screenings for skin, breast, colon or other cancers, please do a little research in your community. Many areas are home to non-profit agencies that will help you with the cost of those screenings. Check with your local gastroenterologist's office, and women's clinics. Or look online.

In NW Arkansas, we have this one: www.hopecancerresources.org

Putting the cost issue aside, I believe much of the colonoscopy reluctance can be laid at the feet of the horrid preparation.  Find a way to solve that problem and the number of colonoscopies, in my opinion, will increase dramatically.  Why isn't there a way to have a no preparation colonoscopy where the instrument flushes the colon ahead of the camera making the field completely visible?  This doesn't seem to me to be a star wars type of situation.  Physicians and or surgeons comments are welcome.

I have been diagnosed with having FAB About 40 Polips in 2005 I was advised to have my colon

removed a total Collectomy today Im running a normal life it was a matter of life or death

If you notice blood in your stool its not hemmeroids it could be polips in your colon please go

for a checkup money means nothing

More propaganda that the media hasn;t checked out. they just regurgitate what the industry tells them to say. "cutTheCarb" above is correct. Read the article. "All screening is good". Oh really? Well no honest doctor would say that. Screenings for healthy, especially helathy NON GERIATRIC people is a revenue enhancing business model for doctors and the medical industry. These screenings have danges and doctors kill and cripple people with them people . The American Cancer Society calls colon cancer a - very rare cancer -. Why does the article say these cancers are "common"? Do some investigative journalism next time. Please? You're all we have between Us and those who would try to fool Us

I saw a story on this company earlier in the year – apparently they have developed an accurate blood test to detect colon cancer. I would certainly be more inclined to going in for a blood test rather than a colonoscopy (www.colomarker.com)