A colon polyp is a growth of extra tissue in the lining of the bowel, colon or large intestine. While some can be cancerous, most are not. However, almost all cases of colon cancer begin as a polyp. Removing polyps early eliminates the chance that colon cancer will develop from those polyps. By following the recommended guidelines for colon cancer screening, your doctor can find colon polyps and remove them, BEFORE they become cancerous.
Symptoms
In most cases, colon cancer develops without any symptoms. As the disease advances, symptoms may appear and include the following:
- Asymptomatic (no symptoms)
- Anemia
- Blood in the stool
- Change in bowel habits
- Irregular bowel habits
- Weight loss
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing colon polyps or colon cancer include:
- Age: over 45
- Genetics: personal or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Lifestyle habits: smoking, excessive alcohol intake, diet high in fat
When to See a Doctor
If you are 45 or older, it’s time. Ninety percent of new colon cancer cases are diagnosed in people age 50+ and the American College of Gastroenterology recommends a colonoscopy as the best colon cancer screening tool beginning at age 45 for healthy adults. For some people, screening should begin earlier. If you are experiencing symptoms or have other risk factors, talk to your doctor about when screening should start for you.
Diagnostic Testing
The foremost diagnostic test for any condition is a thorough exam and consultation with a physician, including a review of your individual and family history. In addition, your physician may recommend any of the following tests or procedures, which may provide further diagnostic value:
Prevention
Colon cancer, unlike most other forms of cancer, is PREVENTABLE. So it might be surprising to hear that colon cancer is the third deadliest form of cancer among men and women in the U.S. By following the recommended guidelines for colon cancer screening, your doctor can find colon polyps and remove them BEFORE they become cancerous.
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New Offerings
LGI-Flag
Capital Digestive Care is now providing LGI-Flag, a groundbreaking predictive modeling tool that uses readily available clinical data to identify those at risk for lower GI disorders, including but not limited to, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colorectal cancer, who may require screening. The goal is to provide a more personalized, convenient and predictive continuum-of-care for patients leading to better health outcomes. Capital Digestive Care is currently the only U.S.-based practice to offer LGI-Flag, which is made available through the Roche navify® Algorithm Suite. Learn more here.