Colonoscopy screening is one of the most effective tools available for detecting colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most successful. At Boulder City Hospital, we make it easier for adults in the Boulder City and Henderson area — including residents of Inspirada, Cadence, and Seven Hills just 15–20 minutes away — to complete their screening without driving to Las Vegas. Our team performs colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures in a comfortable outpatient surgery setting, so you can focus on your health, not your commute.
Colonoscopy Screening Guidelines: Who Should Get Screened
The American Cancer Society updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines in 2018, lowering the recommended starting age to 45 for adults at average risk. If you are 45 or older and have not yet scheduled a baseline colonoscopy, now is the time.Standard Risk Screening Schedule
Adults with no personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps should follow this schedule:- Begin screening colonoscopy at age 45
- Repeat every 10 years if results are normal and no polyps are found
- Continue screening through age 75 (discuss timing with your physician beyond age 75)
High-Risk Patients May Need Earlier or More Frequent Screening
Certain factors increase your colorectal cancer risk and may require a different screening schedule. Talk to your provider if you have:- A first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps before age 60
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
- A known or suspected hereditary syndrome such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- A prior diagnosis of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy: Step-by-Step Prep Instructions
Bowel preparation, commonly called “bowel prep,” is the most important part of a successful colonoscopy. A clean colon allows your physician to see the entire lining clearly, so nothing gets missed. Follow your pre-procedure instructions exactly as written. Typical instructions may include the following:
3–5 Days Before Your Procedure
- Avoid high-fiber foods: nuts, seeds, popcorn, whole grains, raw vegetables, and fruit with seeds or skins
- Stay well-hydrated with water, broth, and approved clear beverages
- Fill your prescription for the bowel prep solution before your procedure date
The Day Before Your Procedure
- Follow a clear-liquid diet only — no solid food
- Approved liquids include: water, broth, clear juices (apple, white grape, lemonade without pulp), popsicles, gelatin, and clear sports drinks
- Avoid red, orange, or purple liquids — these can be mistaken for blood during the procedure
- Begin your bowel prep solution as instructed (typically split into an evening dose and an early morning dose the day of the procedure)
- Stay close to a bathroom once you begin the prep — the solution works quickly
The Morning of Your Procedure
- Complete your second dose of bowel prep solution if prescribed (usually 4–6 hours before your appointment)
- Stop all liquids at least 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time
- Take only the medications your physician has specifically approved with a small sip of water
- Arrange a driver — you will not be permitted to drive yourself home due to sedation
Your care team at Boulder City Hospital will provide a personalized prep instruction sheet specific to the prep solution prescribed. If you have questions or experience difficulty completing your prep, call us before your procedure day.
What to Expect During Your Colonoscopy or Endoscopy
Understanding what happens during the procedure helps reduce anxiety and set realistic expectations. Most patients find the preparation more demanding than the procedure itself.
Arrival and Check-In
Plan to arrive at the hospital approximately 60–90 minutes before your scheduled procedure time. Our outpatient surgery team will complete your check-in, verify your identification and consent forms, start an IV line, and review your medication list before your procedure begins.
Sedation
Most colonoscopies are performed with moderate sedation (sometimes called “twilight anesthesia”) or monitored anesthesia care. You will be relaxed and drowsy, and most patients have little to no memory of the procedure. A nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist will monitor you throughout.
The Procedure
The colonoscopy itself typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Your physician will:
- Insert a thin, flexible colonoscope into the rectum and gently advance it through the entire length of the colon
- Inflate the colon with air or carbon dioxide for better visibility
- Examine the lining of the colon for polyps, inflammation, unusual tissue, or bleeding
- Remove any polyps found (a polypectomy) — this is painless and done during the same procedure
- Take tissue samples (biopsies) if any areas require further evaluation
Recovery
You will rest in our recovery area for 30–60 minutes while the sedation wears off. You may experience mild bloating or gas cramping, which resolves quickly. Once cleared by the nursing team, your driver may take you home. Most patients return to their normal diet and activities the following day. Upper endoscopy (EGD) procedures follow a similar process — your physician will discuss the specific preparation if you are scheduled for an upper GI endoscopy. Learn more about our general surgery services at Boulder City Hospital.
Colonoscopy Results: What Happens After Your Procedure
Waiting for results is often the most stressful part of any medical procedure. Here is what you can expect after your colonoscopy at Boulder City Hospital.
Same-Day Findings
Before you leave the recovery area, your physician will meet with you (and a family member or support person if present) to review what was observed during the procedure. You will receive a printed report of findings, including photos of any areas of interest and a description of any polyps removed.
Biopsy and Pathology Results
If tissue samples or polyps were sent to pathology, results are typically available within 7 to 10 business days. Your care team will contact you with those results and discuss next steps. If your physician has any immediate concerns, follow-up arrangements will be made before you leave the facility.
Next Screening Interval
Your follow-up colonoscopy schedule depends on what was found:
| Finding | Next Screening Interval |
| No polyps found | Repeat colonoscopy in 10 years (average risk) |
| 1–2 small adenomas (less than 10mm) | Repeat in 7–10 years |
| 3–4 adenomas or one large adenoma (10mm or larger) | Repeat in 3 years |
| Advanced polyps or serrated lesions | Repeat in 1–3 years (physician-directed) |
| Cancer identified | Referral to oncology and further staging evaluation |
Your physician will give you a written recommendation before discharge. Keep this information for your records and share it with your primary care provider.
Ready to Schedule Your Colonoscopy?
Contact Boulder City Hospital to schedule your procedure or request a referral through ourprimary care team. Serving Boulder City, Henderson, and the greater Las Vegas valley.
(702) 293-4111 | bchcares.org/make-an-appointment/
Insurance and Payment Information
Colonoscopy coverage varies depending on how your procedure is classified. Understanding the distinction before your appointment can help you avoid unexpected costs. Screening vs. Diagnostic Colonoscopy: A Billing Note A screening colonoscopy is a preventive procedure performed on a patient with no symptoms. Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans and Medicare are required to cover screening colonoscopies at 100% with no cost to the patient. However, if polyps are removed or biopsies are taken during the procedure, some insurers reclassify it as a diagnostic colonoscopy, which may be subject to your deductible and co-pay. Ask your insurance provider about this distinction before your procedure so there are no surprises. Plans We Work With- Medicare (screening colonoscopies covered at 100% for eligible patients)
- Medicaid / Nevada Medicaid
- Most major commercial PPO and HMO plans
- TRICARE and veterans’ benefits
- Self-pay pricing available — contact our billing team for current ratesFor insurance and billing questions, call (702) 293-4111 or visit our Price Transparency page for standard charge information.