Are colon polyps dangerous?
As your body ages, you may start to experience various malfunctions in your organs that seem pretty alarming. One of those can be finding colon polyps during a routine screening. Fear not though – we’re here to chat about what these pesky little things are, and whether or not they’re actually as harmful as they sound.
What exactly are colon polyps?
If you imagine the anatomy of the human intestinal system as a giant motorway with different lanes weaving their way down from your stomach all the way out back door- then think of a polyp like an obstruction on one of those lanes.
Astreak-like growths which develop on the inside lining of the large intestine (colon), Colon Polyps aren’t caused by any sort of trauma or injury; Rather, long-term lifestyle habits such as what people eat can often influence its development later in life.
Who is at risk for developing them?
The truth is folks over 50 are more likely than anyone else to have them show up in screenings – this is where our story starts today! If you’re someone who consumes diets high in fat while including minimal amounts of vegetables and fruits or if bowel cancer runs in your family, then guess what – You too could become partof history!
So they look kinda gross but why are people worried about colon polyps?
Once found, doctors take biopsies from it before passing along further analysis with well equipped pathologist team to determine whether or not it’s great news ever heard.
This process sheds light onto several facts: some types don’t lead to colorectal cancer (yay?), others might have already metastasized (not yay) etc… Needless say Dr Google will only make things worse for both parties.
No need to worry yet however because majority diagnosed cases go through quick rectal snip opp so no getting put under general anesthesia, no hospital stay and most importantly- no wasted time.
Get in there and get out shortly after as if nothing ever happened. Hell, you might EVEMN be back riding those bikes before sunset!
Are they actually dangerous?
Welllll that’s a gray area to answer.
In reality it all boils down on what kind of polyp was found – the very large (>2cm) or serrated ones tend raise some red flag, whereas smaller ones are usually quite benign folks.
Let’s narrow our focus then!
There exist three types of colorectal Polyps:
1. Adenomatous
The most common type… which also happens to hold highest potential for morphing into cancer…. How great is that?? The bad boys account for around two-thirds out of all colonic polyps examined hence why their detection should not be taken so lightly![^1]
2. Hyperplastic
As a general rule hyperplastic polyps aren’t neoplastics (don’t go on to become cancer except under rare circumstances), I mean surely some more adventurous specimens have defied this rule but try not let it keep us up tonight.
3. Serrated
Not at all easy bunnies unfortunately for these little devils actually harbor even greater carcinogenic risk than your common adenomas – plain scary stuff right?
So now what? Can we still do anything about them besides fretting?
But heck yeah dude! Catching colon polyps early will only work in your favor fashion(fashion?). As much as you may loathe cleaning house when preparing these tests just know that undergoing screenings starting from age fifty greatly reduces one’s chances for developing late stage bowel cancers amidst other unwanted health issues!
Health Matters:
👉Check up with screening programs provided near where you live & the age guideline(for good reason!)
👉Dismiss misconceptions about bowel cancer being automatically connected with pain
👉Motivate yourself , Keep a diet high in fruits and veg, while cutting back on the fat
Conclusion
In conclusion: if you are above a certain age it is quite likely you’ll find these types of polyps inside your colon at some stage. This however shouldn’t mean freak out time. Not all Colon Polyps’ end that serious as we’ve just learned (hyperplastic), but catching potential nasty ones early on has been proven effective through various screening tests to try nip any future concerns right in the bud!