Colon Polyps

Prevention

The danger from polyps is that most cases of colon cancer spring from these growths. You can lower your chances of developing cancerous polyps in the following ways:

• Increase your consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

• Limit your intake of high-fat animal foods.

• Get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise on most days.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra fat, especially around the waist alters your metabolism and increases your chances of developing colon and rectal cancer.

In addition, some research suggests these measures may help decrease the risk of colon cancer:

• A multivitamin or a vitamin D supplement daily - People who have a higher intake of vitamin D have a reduced risk of colon cancer compared to those with inadequate vitamin D intake.

• Higher intake of calcium - This may be less important than vitamin D. You can do this by eating or drinking more low-fat dairy products or by taking calcium supplements as advised by your doctor.

• Taking aspirin-like drugs - In several studies, people who used aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on a regular basis had a 40% to 50% lower chance of developing adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer. Because of side effects of these drugs, taking them every day just to prevent colon cancer is not advised if your cancer risk is only average.

• Not smoking - Smoking increases the risk of colon cancer.

Women who take hormones after menopause have a lower risk of colon cancer. However, long term use of estrogen and progesterone after menopause should not be used for this purpose.

Because the risk of colon cancer increases with age, people age 50 and older should have periodic screening for early detection of polyps and colon cancer. Options for screening include:

• Colonoscopy - If normal, repeat in 10 years.

• Fecal occult blood testing yearly - An easy to perform test done at home.

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years - Combined with yearly fecal occult blood testing.

• Double contrast barium enema - Use of this as a screening test has declined over the past decade.

• Virtual colonoscopy - Still requires the same type of colon preparation used before colonoscopy.