A polyp is a fleshy growth of cells that develops on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These are largely asymptomatic (therefore producing no noticeable signs or symptoms), which means that the majority of patients are completely unaware of their presence. Screening is often the only way in which these polyps can be identified and treated.
Why Do I need To Be Screened For Colon Polyps?
As polyps will normally produce no symptoms, you will not be aware of their presence. Screening is the only way in which polyps can be found, therefore it is important for you to attend the screening process if you are invited to do so.
Polyps are not considered to be dangerous, so you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. While the polyps themselves are highly unlikely to cause you any problems, they can, over time, develop into tumors. These will also normally remain asymptomatic until you have reached a late stage of the disease. This is referred to as colon cancer, and it is can be fatal if identified late.
Polyp screening enables these growths to be removed before they have reached the cancerous stage, which can greatly reduce your risk of developing colon cancer in the future. For this reason, attending any screening appointments is vitally important.
Colon Polyps - Methods of Screening for the Presence of Polyps
There are several methods of screening for the presence of polyps, with the most commonly used (and most reliable) of these being a colonoscopy. If you are being sent for bowel screening to identify colon polyps, then it may be done using either x-rays to create an on-screen image, or by inserting a camera and viewing the inside of the colon. Whichever method is used, you will need to follow a restricted diet and use laxatives before the procedure to ensure that the colon and bowel are adequately cleansed.
It is very important to get screened if you believe you are over 50 years of age, or experiencing any symptoms such as bleeding, pain, weight loss, or change in stool caliber or if there is a family history of colon or rectal polyps or cancer. Getting screened early will greatly reduce your risk of developing colon cancer in the future. Colon cancer, if not discovered until the later stages, is usually fatal. However, early screening programs are able to remove polyps before they turn cancerous, preventing the onset of this disease. Even if cancer is found, early detection of colon cancer is also associated with high cure rates.
Contact A Colorectal Surgeon Immediately To Seek Colon Polyp Treatment
If you are invited for screening, then attending it will enable any polyps that are present to be identified and removed at a very early stage of their development. For this reason, it is best to contact your Los Angeles colorectal surgeon to find out what options are available. He or she will educate you on the screening process and provide enough guidance for you to make an informed decision.
Why Do I need To Be Screened For Colon Polyps?
As polyps will normally produce no symptoms, you will not be aware of their presence. Screening is the only way in which polyps can be found, therefore it is important for you to attend the screening process if you are invited to do so.
Polyps are not considered to be dangerous, so you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. While the polyps themselves are highly unlikely to cause you any problems, they can, over time, develop into tumors. These will also normally remain asymptomatic until you have reached a late stage of the disease. This is referred to as colon cancer, and it is can be fatal if identified late.
Polyp screening enables these growths to be removed before they have reached the cancerous stage, which can greatly reduce your risk of developing colon cancer in the future. For this reason, attending any screening appointments is vitally important.
Colon Polyps - Methods of Screening for the Presence of Polyps
There are several methods of screening for the presence of polyps, with the most commonly used (and most reliable) of these being a colonoscopy. If you are being sent for bowel screening to identify colon polyps, then it may be done using either x-rays to create an on-screen image, or by inserting a camera and viewing the inside of the colon. Whichever method is used, you will need to follow a restricted diet and use laxatives before the procedure to ensure that the colon and bowel are adequately cleansed.
- A flexible sigmoidoscopy looks at the last section of the colon, which is where over half of all polyps and tumors are found. A flexible tube is inserted, which allows the doctor to look at the inside lining of the colon. The procedure is done without sedation and can be uncomfortable, but is low risk and highly accurate for identifying polyps in this region of the bowel. If any polyps are found, you will need a colonoscopy procedure so that they can be removed. It is limited only to the last portion of the colon and rectum and therefore, polyps proximal to the reach of the scope can be missed.
- Colonoscopy is the most commonly used method of screening for polyps, and involves inserting a tube that is attached to a camera. Using this, the doctor can view the rectum and the entire colon. If polyps are found during this procedure, then either a biopsy (tissue sample) can be taken, or the entire polyp could be removed. Colonoscopy is a low risk procedure, but there is a slight possibility of the colon wall being perforated or a hemorrhage developing. You will normally be given a sedative to help you to relax during the procedure. It is considered the gold standard for polyp identification.
- Computerised tomographic colonography (CTC) is a modern method of screening the colon for the presence of polyps. It uses x-rays to create a computer image of the colon, without involving any kind of invasive procedure. The large intestine must be empty of stool, just like for the other procedures, but this will help to make colon screening safer and much quicker. It does not require sedation, but also does not allow tissue samples to be taken during the procedure. Though the x-rays used are highly sensitive, this method is currently not as reliable as a colonoscopy, as it is possible for polyps to be missed. If a lesion is identified, then a colonoscopy will be required. At this time, most insurance companies do not cover the cost of CTC.
- Air contrast barium enema is a test in which air and barium (a contrast agent) is instilled into the rectum and colon and plain abdominal x-rays are obtained to look for any irregularities in the lining of the colon which may indicate the presence of polyps. Once again, the colon needs to be adequately cleansed prior to the procedure. The procedure is safe but may be associated with some discomfort from distension of the bowel as no sedation is typically given. Once again, small lesions may be missed and if a lesion is identified, a colonoscopy will be required.
It is very important to get screened if you believe you are over 50 years of age, or experiencing any symptoms such as bleeding, pain, weight loss, or change in stool caliber or if there is a family history of colon or rectal polyps or cancer. Getting screened early will greatly reduce your risk of developing colon cancer in the future. Colon cancer, if not discovered until the later stages, is usually fatal. However, early screening programs are able to remove polyps before they turn cancerous, preventing the onset of this disease. Even if cancer is found, early detection of colon cancer is also associated with high cure rates.
Contact A Colorectal Surgeon Immediately To Seek Colon Polyp Treatment
If you are invited for screening, then attending it will enable any polyps that are present to be identified and removed at a very early stage of their development. For this reason, it is best to contact your Los Angeles colorectal surgeon to find out what options are available. He or she will educate you on the screening process and provide enough guidance for you to make an informed decision.
