Impact of Chewing Gum on Bowel Preparation in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths that could be prevented in the United States. Colonoscopy is the best test for finding and removing polyps before they turn into cancer. However, many people are hesitant to have a colonoscopy because of the bowel preparation. The preparation can be difficult to tolerate, with patients often struggling to finish it due to the taste, volume, or side effects like nausea and bloating. This can lead to incomplete procedures or discourage people from getting screened at all. Chewing sugar-free gum is a simple, low-cost, and safe intervention that may make the preparation process easier. One study from China found that chewing gum did not change the quality of bowel cleansing, but patients reported that they were more satisfied with the process. No U.S.-based studies have tested this strategy, and no prior research has looked at whether gum chewing has different effects in people using high-volume versus low-volume prep solutions. The investigators will randomize 160 participants to the stated intervention or control using computer-generated 1:1 randomization. Upon completing the study, the investigators will analyze the data. By studying gum chewing during bowel preparation, the investigators hope to find out whether this small change can make bowel prep more tolerable and encourage more patients to complete their colonoscopy. If successful, this approach could help more people get screened, leading to earlier detection and prevention of colorectal cancer in the community.