"Being an engineer, I found it interesting." —Henry, 69

"It was fast, maybe 15-20 minutes." —Jay, 53

You feel embarrassed. You don't know what to expect. So you just "forget" to make the appointment for a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. These 2 exams use a thin, flexible, hollow, lighted tube with a light and tiny camera in it to help doctors look for any polyps or signs of cancer inside the colon.

In reality, hundreds of people have these routine exams every day. They can help stop colon cancer before it starts, or find it early when it's easiest to treat. Here ordinary people share their experiences.

"It's not a big deal," said Carolyn about her sigmoidoscopy (an exam of the lower part of the colon). Her own doctor did the exam in a few minutes and no drugs were needed to make her drowsy.

"I really didn't feel embarrassed. I have a woman doctor and I have a good relationship with her. And I'd really hate to have colon cancer. If you think this is an invasive procedure, think about what you'd go through with colon cancer."

"Maybe it's harder for men. By the time you've had a baby or 2, you're pretty used to being invaded. Do it without delay. The peace of mind is worth any momentary embarrassment."

"It was yucky. Just the idea really, not the exam so much. But nobody wants to get colon cancer."

"It was not painful. It was uncomfortable. But it was for a worthy objective," said Henry. "When I had it they had a video display, so I could watch where the probe was going."

"It was like looking into a tunnel, where you don't want to see anything unusual. Being an engineer, I found it interesting."

"I chugged this solution that cleans you out. They say stay close to the toilet and I sure needed to!"

"The sigmoidoscopy itself was fast -- maybe 15-20 minutes and I got in my car and went home feeling fine."

Revised: 02/07/2008