Colonoscopy is a prophylactic examination allowing for detection of colorectal cancer. Patient’s preparation to the abovementioned procedure should include both physical and mental preparation. Because the quality of colon cleanliness directly affects the ability to diagnose a pathology, the majority of nurses concentrate on physical preparation of the patient and neglect mental aspects, on which the participation of a patient in the prophylactic colonoscopy depend greatly. Patients’ knowledge about colorectal cancer, the opportunities that the examination presents and, most of all, the first prophylactic colonoscopy are pioneers in shaping public opinion on the examination and continuation of further prophylaxis. The thesis objective is to draw attention to patients’ negative approach to the classical colonoscopy examination which is usually caused by insufficient nurses’ activity in the scope of patients’ preparation with respect to the mental aspects. It results in limitation of the possibility to implement the program of colorectal cancer prophylaxis, thus preventing effective decrease of mortality rate in face of an increased number of colorectal cancer cases that moves it to the first place on the list of cancer occurrence.

Key words: colonoscopy, prophylaxis, preparation to the examination.