Colon Polyps
What is a colon polyp?
A polyp is an abnormal growth in the inner lining of the large bowel or rectum (bottom section of your gastrointestinal tract). It can have different forms; slightly raised, flat or on a stalk. There are different types of polyps, all of which require assessment in the pathology lab to determine. While majority of the polyps will not become cancer, certain types may be precancerous. These polyps often do not cause any obvious symptoms. Thus screening with stool test, CT scan or a colonoscopy is necessary to detect polyps. Screening for polyps should commence in the 4th decade of your life or earlier if these risk factors are present e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, family history of colorectal cancer and syndromes of hereditary colorectal cancer.
Causes of colon polyps
Polyps are found in about 30% of the adult population above 45-50 years of age. A polyp is the result of genetic alterations in the cells lining of the colon or rectum. Factors relating to diet (excess red meat), lifestyle (inadequate exercise, smoking, excess alcohol), older age, obesity, and genetics can increase the risk of these abnormal cell changes.
Symptoms of colon polyps
Most colorectal polyps and early colorectal cancers do not have any symptoms, which is why screening is advocated in Australia. But when symptoms do occur, usually in larger polyps or cancers, they may present as
Bleeding in poo
Mucus discharge
Changes in bowel habit including diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
What happens if you have colorectal polyps
Polyps are removed when found during a colonoscopy, in order to decrease the risk of precancerous lesions turning into cancers over time. Patients with a history of colorectal polyps are at risk of developing more polyps. For this reason, your colorectal surgeon will advise further follow up colonoscopy to look for new polyps. The interval for surveillance colonoscopy is dependent on your personal risk and your last colonoscopy findings; which will include the total number of polyps, and the polyp features e.g. if they were considered low or high risk polyps.
Can colon polyps or colorectal cancer be prevented?
Avoid excess alcohol
Avoid smoking tobacco
Increasing exercise and avoid sedentary lifestyle
Ensure good plant base diet and reduce red meat intake
Avoid fatty and processed food
Lose weight if you are overweight