Top Five Myths on the Symptoms of Polyps in the Colon

Colon cancer which is a killer disease can actually easily be prevented through the early detection and removal of colon polyps. Unfortunately though, the major obstacle to immediate removal is often the wrong belief that some of us may hold about colon polyps and their symptoms. Here are the top myths that should be debunked.
Myth #1: Since there are no symptoms I don’t have any polyps.

Colon polyps can have some symptoms but there are times when they do not have any. A person who does have symptoms may notice blood in the stool and may have constipation or diarrhea. He may also have stomach pains and rectal bleeding. These symptoms may especially occur with large polyps.

One particular hard to detect symptom is small amounts of blood in the stool that is not obvious to the naked eye. These blood traces can only be detected through a lab test of the stool which is one way to determine the possible presence of polyps.

Myth #2: Benign polyps do not cause cancer.

Technically speaking, polyps that are benign upon discovery do not cause cancer at the moment. A person could also have numerous polyps with no symptoms and could be safe from cancer. You should always remember though that colon polyps known as adenomas could eventually develop from benign to cancerous. Cancerous colon polyps usually take a decade to become harmful. In the intervening years, you may not have any symptoms at all.

As a general rule, polyps that are 2cm or more in size should give cause for some concern. Bigger polyps have a higher possibility of causing cancer.

Myth #3: I have had a polyp removed so I am safe from cancer.

Even if you have a polyp removed, new polyps may grow in the colon. Again, there is a chance that they will not show symptoms. This is why regular check ups are important even after a polyp has been successfully removed.

Myth #4: Since there may be no symptoms, there is no way that I can predict the possibility of developing polyps and colon cancer.

Even experts are not entirely sure of the real causes behind colon polyps. However, there are several risk factors that may give you a clue if you have a high risk of developing colon polyps. It is possible that colon polyps run in the family so check your relatives for anyone who has had colon polyps or colon cancer. Individuals over 40 or 50 are also already at risk of having polyps and should consider having regular colon check ups. People who smoke and drink excessively and eat foods rich in fat are also at risk.

It is better not to wait for symptoms to show before taking action. If you know that you are in the risk group especially if you are over 50, you should already consult a doctor about screening.

Myth #5: There is no way to prevent colon polyps and cancer.

You can help yourself by avoiding smoking, excessive drinking and eating fatty foods. You should also make it a point to increase your daily intake of fiber-rich foods. There is also some evidence that foods containing calcium may help decrease the risk of polyps.