Why the Colonoscopy Prep is the Biggest Barrier to Colorectal Cancer Screening

The procedure itself rarely stops people from getting screened. The prep does. And for the first time, there is an alternative being developed that moves preparation out of the home and into the clinic.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. It is also one of the most preventable. Yet screening rates remain well below public health targets — not because people lack awareness, and not because the procedure is unproven. The most commonly cited reason is the preparation itself.

The numbers are stark

71%

of patients say prep is the worst part

40%+

of eligible adults delay or avoid screening

18–35%

of procedures compromised by poor prep

Traditional oral bowel preparation requires patients to drink 64 to 128 ounces of laxative solution, restrict their diet for one to two days, and manage a highly unpredictable process at home, alone. Even under ideal conditions, 18 to 35 percent of procedures are performed with inadequate preparation — meaning the physician begins the colonoscopy without full visibility, increasing the risk of missed lesions.

What ZeraFlow changes

ZeraFlow is a clinic-based warm-water bowel preparation system currently in the FDA clearance process. Rather than requiring patients to manage preparation at home, ZeraFlow delivers a 30-minute, nurse-supervised cleanse performed immediately before the colonoscopy. International clinical data across 500+ procedures shows a 97% prep adequacy rate with no serious adverse events.

ZeraFlow is coming to clinics near you.

Join the waitlist to be notified when available in your area.