Depending on which of your biological relatives was diagnosed with cancer and/or advanced polyps and at what age, you may need to get a colonoscopy every 3 to 5 years.

If you have a blood relative with colorectal cancer or advanced polyps (mom, dad, sibling), begin screening when your age is 10 years younger than when they were diagnosed. So, for example, if your mom was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 45, your screening should begin at age 35.