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Colon Polyps and Colon Cancer

Learn more about symptoms, risk factors and treatment options.

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What is it?

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 cancers begin as a polyp. 

Removing polyps early eliminates the chance that colon cancer will develop from those polyps. By following the 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 progresses, symptoms may include:

  • Anemia 
  • Blood in the stool 
  • Changes in bowel habits 
  • Irregular bowel habits 
  • Weight loss 

 

When to see a doctor

The American College of Gastroenterology recommends a colonoscopy as the best colon cancer screening tool beginning at age 45 for healthy adults. 

  • 90% of new colon cancer cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50. 
  • For some people, screening should begin earlier. 

 

If you have symptoms or have other risk factors, talk to your doctor about when you should start screening.

Causes and risk factors

We don’t know what causes colon polyps. Risk factors for developing colon polyps or colon cancer include:

  • Age: 45 years or older
  • 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, heavy alcohol intake, high-fat diet 

Treatment options

If your doctor finds polyps during a colonoscopy or other procedure, they may remove them immediately and take tissue samples for analysis.

Testing

Your doctor can help you determine if you need to get checked for colon polyps or colon cancer. They may recommend the following tests or procedures:

  • Colonoscopy 
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy 

Prevention

Colon cancer, unlike most other forms of cancer, is preventable — and yet, it’s 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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