Colon polyps commonly occur in older adults and are usually benign, or non-cancerous. One type of polyp, the adenoma, is considered to be the major precursor of colon cancer, with which it shares common risk factors and preventive measures. Several lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, can potentially lower your risk of developing both colon polyps and cancer.
Colon Polyps and Cancer
Colon polyps are benign growths that arise from the inner lining of your large intestine and occur in up to one-quarter of people over 50 years of age, according to Patient UK, a health information website developed by doctors. Polyps can be single or multiple, are most commonly small and usually are asymptomatic, although you might experience anal bleeding, increased mucus in your stool or changes in bowel habits. Several types of polyp can occur, but the colon adenoma is important for its ties to cancer. Although most adenomas are not cancerous, the vast majority of colon cancers begin as small adenomas that grow and transform over several years to become cancer. The same preventive steps can lower your risk of developing both colon polyps and colon cancer.
Factors That Increase Your Risk
Lifestyle choices that increase your risk of developing colon polyps and colon cancer include cigarette smoking, having more than one or two alcoholic drinks a day and being overweight. Eating large amounts of saturated fat from red meat, processed meats or whole-milk dairy products similarly increase your risk. If you already have colon polyps, the presence of an adenoma larger than 1 cm in diameter, several separate adenomas at the same time or adenomas with certain microscopic features are medical findings associated with a higher risk of cancer, according to the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.
Preventive Steps That Reduce Your Risk
There are also steps you can take that might further decrease your risk of developing colon polyps and cancer. Regular physical activity is one of these. Increasing the calcium and vitamin D in your diet, fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, foods high in fiber, lycopene from red fruits and vegetables and eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may lower your risk as well, according to MayoClinic.com. Non-dietary interventions to discuss with your health-care provider include the use of aspirin, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and combined estrogen and progesterone in women.
Finding and Treating Polyps
Making healthy lifestyle and dietary choices can decrease your likelihood of developing polyps, but screening and treatment are still important. Colon polyps are most often diagnosed with colonoscopy, in which a thin flexible telescope is used to look directly at the entire inner lining of your colon and remove any polyps identified. More limited sigmoidoscopy, which only looks at the lower portion of your colon, or a radiologic exam called a barium enema can also be used to look for polyps. Removal of any polyps allows them to be examined for signs of cancer and further reduces your risk of future cancer.
