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Colon polyps

  • Article
  • 2021-03-02

Colon polyps are growths on the lining of your colon and rectum. You can have more than one colon polyp.

Are colon polyps cancerous?

Colon and rectal cancer - also called colorectal cancer NIH external link - usually starts as polyps. Most polyps are not cancerous, but some can become cancerous over time. Removing polyps can help prevent colon cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. 1

How common are colon polyps?

Colon polyps are common in American adults. Anywhere between 15 and 40 percent of adults can have colon polyps. Colon polyps are more common in men and older adults. 2

Who is more likely to develop colon polyps?

While anyone can develop colon polyps, you may be more likely to develop them

  • are over 50
  • someone in your family who has had polyps or colorectal cancer
  • if you have inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
  • are obese 3
  • smoke cigarettes NIH link external 3
You may be more likely to get polyps if someone in your family has had them.

When Should I Start Screening for Colon Polyps?

Screening is testing for illnesses where you don't have symptoms. Finding and removing polyps can help prevent colon cancer. Your doctor will recommend colorectal cancer screening from the age of 50 if you don't have health problems or other factors that make you more likely to develop colorectal cancer. 4

If you have a higher risk of colorectal cancer, your doctor may recommend screening at a younger age. You may also need to be tested more often.

If you are over 75 years old, talk to your doctor about whether you should be screened. For more information, read current guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. External link of the US Preventive Services Task Force.

Symptoms

Most people with colon polyps have no symptoms. You can't say you have polyps just because you feel good. When colon polyps cause symptoms, it can

  • if you are bleeding from your rectum. You may notice blood on your underwear or on toilet paper after you have a bowel movement.
  • has blood in your stools. Blood can make the stool appear black or appear as red streaks in your stool.
  • feeling tired because you have anemia and not enough iron in your body. Bleeding from colon polyps can lead to anemia and a lack of iron.

Many other health problems can also cause these symptoms. However, if you have blood from your rectum or blood in your stool, call your doctor right away.

Therapy

In most cases, doctors use special tools during a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy to remove colon polyps. After doctors remove the polyp, they send it in for an examination to check for cancer. A pathologist will review the test results and send a report to your doctor. Doctors can remove almost all polyps without surgery.

If you have colon polyps, your doctor will ask you to get regular tests in the future because you are more likely to get more polyps.

Seek immediate care

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms after he or she removes a colon polyp:

  • severe pain in your abdomen
  • fever
  • bloody stools that don't get better
  • bleeding from your anus that will not stop
  • dizziness
  • weakness

How can I prevent colon polyps?

Researchers don't know a sure way to prevent colon polyps. However, you can take steps to lower your chances of developing colon polyps.

Food, diet and nutrition

Food, diet, and nutritional changes - such as eating less red meat and more fruits and vegetables - can lower your chances of developing colon polyps.

Healthy lifestyle choices

You can follow the followMake healthy lifestyle choices to lower your chances of developing colon polyps:

  • getting regular exercise External link
  • don't smoke cigarettes External link, and if you smoke, quit
  • avoid drinking alcohol
  • lose weight if you are overweight
Being physically active and losing weight when you're overweight can lower your chances of developing colon polyps.

Aspirin

Taking a low dose of aspirin every day for a long period of time can help prevent polyps from developing into colorectal cancer in some people. 5 The daily intake of aspirin can cause side effects, such as bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Talk to your doctor before taking daily aspirin.


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