As others have said, the actual procedure is no big deal. (I took the subway home.) They found some polyps, so I get to do it again this year. Oh, joy.
The preperation was awful. I didn't mind the no solid food the day before -- apple sauce, lemon jello, and some Ensure, etc, etc., but the liquid that your supposed to drink (even with the addition of the "cherry" flavor packet was awful. It took forever to get the taste out of my mouth. I drank massive amounts of ginger ale (which was allowed according to the instructions) and vented to a friend about how bad the taste was in between trips to the bathroom.
I know 7 people who had colon cancer. Three of them died. One of them was only 38. It spread to his liver before they found it. Another friend was just diagnosed, she's only 43. Unless you have a family history (I have a friend who has to get a colonoscopy every year because her father died at 55 from colon cancer), or unless you have some sort of symptoms, insurance won't pay for a colonoscopy until you reach a certain age. It's a very expensive procedure. The gastrointerologist billed my insurance company over $2,000 (my co-pay was $40) and that doesn't include the $2,000 bill from the anesthesiologist. (Again, my co-pay was $40.) I also had a $25 co-pay for the vile substance that I had to drink. Given what my friends (and their families) are going through (or went through) paying $105 in co-pays, drinking a vile liquid, and living in the bathroom for a couple of hours is a small price to pay.
Everyone who is over certain age (check with your insurance company first -- mine won't pay until your reach 50) should get colonoscopy. As unpleasant as it is, it can safe you life.
Just my $0.02.
Justice