Colonoscopy as A Rite of Passage

In talking with older friends at work, I have concluded that getting your first colonoscopy is often the initial rite of passage into old age.  You realize that even if the screening shows no problems, your colon -- hitherto a faithful and uncomplaining helper -- is a potential assassin.

When you stop trusting the recuperative powers of your body to handle all health problems, you have crossed the line from a confident adulthood to an increasingly circumspect old age.