Every week we ask a health question to a medical expert. This week: I suffer from abdominal pain, maybe I have polyps? MDL doctor Daniel Keszthelyi: “Pops can be the preliminary stage of colon cancer. If you receive a call, respond to the population screening.”
By Dorien DijkhuisWhat exactly are polyps? Do you notice anything?
“Pops sometimes arise in the colon. A polyp is an overgrowth in the lining of the colon. They look like a bulge inwards: like a pimple or a mushroom. They can vary in size and shape.”
How do you know if you have polyps?
“You don’t know that. Polyps almost never cause pain or other palpable symptoms, especially when they are small. They are quite common. Many people have them without knowing it. Although it is difficult to estimate, about 5 to 20 percent have of people over the age of fifty suffer from polyps.”
“The vast majority of polyps are benign and will remain benign. But sometimes they can grow faster and contain troubled cells. Then they can eventually develop into a malignant tumor: colorectal cancer.”
If blood is found, you will receive an invitation for a more extensive bowel examination to determine whether there are polyps or colon cancer.
“So no, they are not directly harmful, but we do have to keep an eye on them, because they can indicate an increased risk of colorectal cancer. That is why everyone aged 55 or older receives a call for the population screening every two years for prevention. colon cancer.”
What happens during that investigation?
“In the laboratory, the stool is examined for small traces of blood. If the stool scrapes against a polyp, you can lose small amounts of blood. You cannot see this with the naked eye, but you can with the test used by the population screening. If you are found, you will receive an invitation for a more extensive intestinal examination to determine whether there are polyps or colon cancer.”
So if I have a stomachache, is there anything wrong?
“Abdominal pain can have all kinds of causes. If you are concerned, call your doctor. Especially if you have recently lost a lot of weight and if there are people in your family who had Crohn’s disease or colon cancer at a young age.”
Also see a doctor if you have persistent intestinal complaints, such as a changed bowel habit.
“Also go to the doctor if you have persistent intestinal complaints, such as a changed stool pattern, blood in the stool or an empty urge. It does not have to be intestinal cancer, but if it is, you better get it as soon as possible. The sooner colon cancer is detected, the better the chance of a cure.”
Can we do something ourselves to prevent polyps and therefore also colon cancer?
“There are several risk factors. People who have had colon cancer or polyps before have a higher risk of developing the disease. Lifestyle plays a role, but unfortunately people who eat healthy throughout their lives and sometimes live with the disease. People with chronic intestinal inflammation and with diabetes, for example, also have a slightly increased chance. Overweight and smoking are also risk factors.”
“Eat as healthy as possible: lots of fiber from vegetables and little red meat. Drink little alcohol, but a lot of water. And exercise a lot. That is good for the condition, muscle maintenance, bowel movements and intestinal health.”
Daniel Keszthelyi is an MDL doctor at Maastricht UMC+.
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