“Adenomatous (pre-cancerous) colon polyps account for about two-thirds of all polyps found during colonoscopy. When they are found, they should be removed, as some polyps can develop into colon cancer in future years,” says Kristina Katz, MD, a gastroenterologist on the Medical Staff of Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “Colon cancer is the third most common cancer globally.”
Colon polyps generally do not result in noticeable symptoms, which is why routine and regular screening is so important.
Traditional Colonoscopy and Other Options
“People tend to feel uncomfortable with the idea of getting a colonoscopy, but it is extremely important to have some sort of testing done at the recommended intervals,” says Dr. Katz, who is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. “The recommendation is screening starting at age 45.
If you have a family history—meaning a parent or sibling with a history of colon cancer or certain colon polyps —you should begin testing at 40, or 10 years earlier than the age that relative was at diagnosis.” If no polyps are found during the initial colonoscopy , a follow-up colonoscopy should be conducted in 10 years, and this screening should continue until at least age 75. If polyps are found, then the next colonoscopy is recommended at a sooner interval, usually in three to seven years.
The most common reasons why people delay testing is embarrassment with the idea of the procedure, worry about anesthesia and most commonly, concern over the prep process, which requires that your system be thoroughly cleaned out. This process can be somewhat unpleasant. However, today, the bowel prep is usually gentler and smaller in volume than traditionally thought of. Even pill form prep is available for some patients.
Also, there are other options for colon cancer screening if a person is hesitant to undergo colonoscopy.
“Some sort of screening is always better than no screening at all, and I always stress this to all my patients.”
Individuals without a family history, a diagnosis of another bowel-related medical condition, or history of previous colon polyps, have the option to do an at-home stool sample test, but will need to have the test every three years. A virtual colonoscopy, along the lines of a CAT scan, is also an option, although it does still require a bowel prep.
“Regardless of what type of test you choose, and what kind of prep you prefer, the important thing is to get tested,” says Dr. Katz. “Treatment is far more successful when colon cancer is caught early.”