Colon Polyps and Cancer: Treatment and Prevention
Treatment for Colon Polyps
The colonoscopy is used to identify and remove colon polyps. Your health care provider may recommend specific follow-up if colon polyps have been identified and removed. Follow-up is important as part of the treatment plan and is different based on your diagnosis and history.
Treatment for Colon Cancer
If the colon polyp biopsy is positive for colon cancer, you will be referred to a cancer specialist, also called an oncologist. The oncologist will recommend a combination of treatment based on your stage of cancer. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
Colon Polyp and Colon Cancer Prevention
Screening tests are important to identify and remove colon polyps before they potentially develop into colon cancer. A colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years after the age of 50 for everyone. An alternative to a colonoscopy may be a stool sample and a sigmoidoscopy every 3-5 years. Colonoscopies may be recommended at a younger age and more frequently if there is increased risk of developing colon cancer.
Also important in preventing colon polyps and colon cancer is a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes:
- Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods every day
- Limiting saturated fats by choosing lean meats, fish and low-fat dairy foods
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol
- Giving up smoking.
Your health care provider may recommend other measures you can take based on your history. Remember, regular screening tests and follow-up visits with you health care provider are important to prevent and treat colon polyps and colon cancer.
This information has been approved by Luette Morton, MD (October 2009).
