In this guide
6 min readColon Health
Colon polyps are growths inside the large intestine. Many cause no symptoms, but some can bleed or slowly develop cancer risk over time. Colonoscopy can detect and remove suitable polyps.
Key Takeaways
- Blood in stool
- Anemia
- Mucus or bowel habit change
- Abdominal discomfort
- Positive stool blood test
Symptoms
Most polyps are silent, but some patients may have symptoms.
- Blood in stool
- Anemia
- Mucus or bowel habit change
- Abdominal discomfort
- Positive stool blood test
Why removal matters
Removing suitable polyps during colonoscopy can help prevent future cancer risk depending on polyp type.
Biopsy and reports
Removed polyps are sent for histopathology. Future colonoscopy timing depends on number, size and biopsy type.
Who should discuss screening
Patients with family history, bleeding, anemia, older age or previous polyps should discuss colonoscopy timing.