Dr. Ned Calonge, Colorado's chief medical officer, decided to make his colonoscopy public Wednesday to draw attention to the lives and money that could be saved by undergoing the procedure at regular intervals.

Only two in five Coloradans who should have had a colonoscopy have done so, according to Dr. Eric France, chief of preventive medicine for Kaiser Permanente of Colorado.

If colorectal screening rose to 90 percent nationwide, it would save more lives than if breast cancer screening - already at 70 percent - increased to 90 percent, France said.

Colorectal screening saves lives and "is not that bad" in terms of discomfort, Calonge said.

Calonge, who hopes to dispel fears about the procedure, said his screening found three polyps, precancerous growths that are easily treatable. The polyps were removed as part of the colonoscopy.

Colorectal screening

What it involves: The most highly touted type of screening, a colonoscopy, explores the large intestine with a tiny camera attached to a hose-like device.

Who should get it: Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of these testing schedules, according to American Cancer Society guidelines:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy (which looks at the lower half of the large intestine) every five years

• Yearly FOBT or FIT, plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years

• Double-contrast barium enema every five years

• Colonoscopy every 10 years.

In case of a positive test: All positive tests using the first four methods should be followed up with a colonoscopy.

Under 50? People should talk to their doctors about starting colorectal cancer screening earlier than 50 if they have:

• A history of colorectal cancer

• Adenomatous polyps

• A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps

• A history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Options for the uninsured: The University of Colorado Cancer Center, using tobacco tax dollars, coordinates a program in 65 community health clinics in the state to provide free screening for legal residents of Colorado who meet certain criteria.

For more information, call: 1-866-909-3481