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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Learning that you have &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/colon-polyps-types-risks-and-treatment-796944&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;polyps in your colon&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; can be a frightening experience, but it does not always mean that you have colon cancer. A polyp is an abnormal growth within your colon, and although no one &amp;lt;em&amp;gt;wants&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt; to have &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;-OFfdio6SYRnsccB1-ZaDg&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/colon-polyps-and-cancer-risk-797579&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;colon polyps&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, some types are not dangerous and may never turn into &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;GGxQFD94z47QjASlWS6uCQ&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-colon-cancer-796818&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;colon cancer&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. Having said that, most polyps are both diagnosed and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/how-not-to-dread-a-colonoscopy-797572&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;removed during a colonoscopy&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; so that they do not get the chance to turn cancerous over time.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;These abnormal growths have many different descriptions, most of which are based on location and appearance. However, following your exam, there are only three descriptive words that you will likely hear: Cancerous, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-does-malignant-and-benign-mean-514240&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;non-cancerous (benign)&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, and pre-cancerous. Some other terms you may hear and read regarding colon polyps include:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Flat&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Superficial&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Raised&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-colon-polyps-796830&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Sessile&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Pedunculated&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Adenomatous (Most commonly associated with colon cancer)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Superficial&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Most sources agree that flat polyps, which may be difficult to detect (hence the need for a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/proper-colonoscopy-preparation-797580&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;squeaky clean colon&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; before your colonoscopy), are associated with an increased risk of turning cancerous.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What are the Symptoms?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For the most part, you probably will not know that you have polyps in your intestine. They are almost always asymptomatic, meaning that you won&amp;amp;#39;t see or feel anything different within your body. Although symptoms of colon polyps are uncommon, they can include:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Blood on the toilet tissue when wiping (can also be caused by &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-are-hemorrhoids-796590&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;hemorrhoids&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Prolonged bowel movement irregularities, including &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/constipation-2632029&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;constipation&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; or diarrhea lasting longer than a week without a known cause (stomach virus, poor diet, medications)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/advice-about-bright-red-blood-in-stool-796937&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Bright red blood in the stool&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;How Do You Know if You Have Polyps?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Polyps do not cause &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/stomach-cramps-and-colon-cancer-796835&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;11&amp;quot;&amp;gt;abdominal pain&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, weight loss, or any other ominous symptoms on their own. This is why &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;KC_iKH2TV-j-6oU4-s8ogA&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-a-colon-biopsy-797589&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;12&amp;quot;&amp;gt;screening exams&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; are the key to &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;OQSdhFJbjyEc6w0vSXMCnA&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-sporadic-colon-cancer-796946&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;13&amp;quot;&amp;gt;preventing colon&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; cancer. The tests used to find polyps &amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;before&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; they turn cancerous include:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Colonoscopy \u2013 Which is also used to remove polyps if they are found by other means.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;TOBxinW9tkcLaBVRjuWU1g&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-a-double-contrast-barium-enema-dcbe-797567&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;14&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Barium enema&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; \u2013 Basically an x-ray of your colon that may show large growths or irregularities in the bowel.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/colon-cancer-screening-guidelines-797562&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;15&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Virtual colonoscopy&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Sigmoidoscopy \u2013 Will only detect &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;Wvr3wHN14yef6pyFhanfJw&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/adenoma-what-is-an-adenoma-797194&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;16&amp;quot;&amp;gt;polyps&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; in the last portion of your colon, known as the &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;fodfdv8u0hF69Mn0R9fuOg&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/atonic-colon-1742388&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;17&amp;quot;&amp;gt;sigmoid colon&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;kbnAtTt2Ad_kv79z3GtFfg&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-a-fecal-occult-blood-test-fobt-797569&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;18&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Fecal occult stool testing&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; \u2013 Can detect the presence of microscopic amounts of blood in the stool, which may be contributed to &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;wJh6ZQxWHHEozSHm0BdI2Q&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/types-of-colon-polyps-and-their-symptoms-1942567&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;19&amp;quot;&amp;gt;polyp activity&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; or cancer.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What are the Worst Kinds of Polyps?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Regardless of its type, any polyp bigger than one centimeter \u2014 which is about the width of a standard sized paperclip \u2014 should be removed according to the &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;r41uvNH_ctTlCfTF9mN1ew&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/smoking-related-cancers-2248971&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;20&amp;quot;&amp;gt;National Cancer Institute&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. Adenomatous polyps, which can be flat, raised or villous (leaf-like), are most commonly associated with colon cancer.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Decrease Your Risk&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Studies to determine why certain people seem to develop polyps in the colon\u00A0and other people do not, are ongoing. However, we do know some factors that increase your &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;XbpHKzmY4nP2-7ddV9raTg&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/colon-polyps-and-cancer-risk-797579&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;21&amp;quot;&amp;gt;risk of developing polyps&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, including a fatty diet, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/colon-cancer-and-smoking-797465&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;22&amp;quot;&amp;gt;smoking&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, excessive alcohol use, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. If you are over 50 and have not been screened for colon cancer, make an appointment to talk to your doctor \u2014 especially if you have any of these known &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;kXoECRXvG2YW43dN7NeuwQ&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-are-the-top-nine-colon-cancer-risk-factors-797482&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;23&amp;quot;&amp;gt;risk factors&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; for polyps.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Sources:&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Edmundowicz, S.A. (October 2012). &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://s3.gi.org/acgmeetings/2012/pgsyllabus/2012PG_0008.pdf&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;24&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Detection and Removal of Flat Polyps, Large Polyps, and Ugly Polyps.&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; American College of Gastroenterologists. Accessed online March 20, 2013.&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colorectal-prevention-pdq&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;25&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Colorectal Cancer Prevention.&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; Accessed online March 22, 2013.&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (n.d.). &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/colon-polyps/Pages/overview.aspx&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;26&amp;quot;&amp;gt;What I Need to know About Colon Polyps.&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; Accessed online March 12, 2013. &amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<https://www.verywell.com/do-polyps-always-mean-cancer-796836>