KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY! While everyone should get a colonoscopy, people with blood relatives that have had the disease are at a higher risk. I'm in that category. I lost an uncle to colon cancer (on my mother's side). Apparently that makes me a higher than average risk for the disease. I've had several colonoscopies, all with favorable results.
The most memorable was accidently scheduling one the day after the Superbowl. While everyone else was drinking beer and eating pizza, I was drinking that crap that cleans out your gut. Note to self: Do not schedule a colonoscopy the day after the Superbowl.