What is colon polyps?

Colon polyps are growths in your large intestine (colon). The cause of most colon polyps is not known, but they are common in adults. Over time, some polyps can turn into colorectal cancer. It usually takes many years for that to happen.

You can have colon polyps and not know it, because they usually don't cause symptoms. They are most often found during routine screening tests for colorectal cancer. A screening test looks for signs of a disease when there are no symptoms.

If polyps are large or become cancerous, they can cause symptoms. You may have bleeding from your rectum or a change in your bowel habits. A change in bowel habits includes diarrhea, constipation, going to the bathroom more often or less often than usual, or a change in the way your stool looks.

Most colon polyps are found during tests for colorectal cancer. These tests include stool tests that you can do at home and procedures to look inside the colon that are done at your doctor's office or clinic.

Stool tests look for signs of cancer in a stool sample. If your result is abnormal, you'll probably have a follow-up colonoscopy to find the cause, which could be colon polyps, colorectal cancer, or another problem.

Procedures that can look inside the colon and find polyps include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Polyps found during a colonoscopy can often be removed during the test. If polyps are found during one of the other procedures, you may need a colonoscopy.

If you've had any polyps, routine follow-up testing is important. How often you need it will depend on what kind of polyps were found, how many, and other issues.

Doctors often remove colon polyps, because some of them can turn into colorectal cancer. Most polyps are removed during a colonoscopy. You may need to have surgery if you have a large polyp.

After removal, polyps are checked to find out if they are the kind that could become cancer. If cancer is found when the colon polyps are checked, you will begin treatment for colorectal cancer.

For some types of polyps, the bigger a colon polyp is the more likely it is that the polyp will contain cancer cells. After you have had polyps, you have a higher chance of developing new polyps. If you have had polyps removed, it is important to have follow-up tests to look for more polyps. Talk to your doctor about how often you need to be tested.

Regular exams to look for colon polyps are the best way to prevent polyps from turning into colon cancer. These can include stool tests, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT colonography. Talk with your doctor about a testing schedule that is right for you.

To prevent polyps

There is no home treatment that can prevent colon polyps. But these steps may help lower your risk for cancer.

• Stay active. Being active can help you get to and stay at a healthy weight. Try to exercise on most days of the week. Walking is a good choice.
• Eat well. Choose a variety of vegetables, fruits, legumes (such as peas and beans), fish, poultry, and whole grains.
• Do not smoke. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• If you drink alcohol, limit how much you drink. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.