Screening for colon cancer may not be something you are looking forward to, but can make all the difference. As the fourth commonly diagnosed cancer, colorectal cancer is highly preventable and treatable. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and how long a colon polyp takes to become cancerous, is crucial.
There are several ways to get tested for colon polyps, we encourage you to contact Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida for more information.
The American College of Gastroenterology answers some important questions about colon polyps.
How long does it take a colon polyp to grow into a cancer?
Current theories propose it will take about 10 years for a small adenoma to transform into a cancer. That is why the standard interval for screening colonoscopy is 10 years. However, the time interval may be shorter for patients with a hereditary form of colon cancer (like familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non polyposis colorectal cancer) or inflammatory bowel disease. The recommended intervals are general guidelines and may not apply to every patient.
How can I tell if I have a colon polyp?
Are there any symptoms? Most polyps do not produce any symptoms, which is why screening is so important. Rarely, a polyp may cause visible blood to appear in your stool. Sometimes blood will only be detected with special testing your doctor may perform on a stool sample (hemoccult testing). Rarely, polyps may cause a change in bowel habits; if the polyp or cancer is very large it may lead to constipation, or perhaps diarrhea, though this is highly unusual.
What causes colon polyps?
There appears to be a combination of environmental and hereditary factors that leads to forming polyps. Smoking, obesity, alcohol intake, eating a high fat diet, red meat consumption, and low fiber intake are all associated with the risk of polyp formation. The increased risk of colorectal polyps and cancer for smokers extends for at least 10 years after they discontinue smoking. There are also genetic changes that are associated with colon polyps and cancer.