Colon Adenoma- symptoms and treatments

Colon Adenoma or simply colon cancer is a serious medical condition affecting huge number of people worldwide. This form of cancer affects the intestines of human body and can remain undetected for years together. If you are over 50, it makes sense to go for intestine or colon examination every year to rule out the possibility of colon adenoma. Colon polyps growth affecting the lower intestines may stick out and make you prone to have cancer over a period of time if not treated. The obvious symptoms include bleeding from colon and difficulty in having bowel movements.
Smaller growth in polyps may continue to remain there for years without actually developing into a fully blown up case of colon adenoma. It is seen that most of the people have some form of polyps growth without affecting their health in any way.
However one form of polyp called adenoma polyp is cancerous and may lead to cancer of intestines if not treated. Research has shown that almost 30 % of the population above the age of 50 has some form of adenoma polyp. However most of the adenoma growth is harmless and may not require intervention. The larger sized colon adenoma may be cancerous in nature. One thumb rule in the field of colon cancer research is that the larger the size of adenoma, the greater is the possibility that it may develop into colon cancer.
Adenoma research has also proven that its takes some amount of time before adenoma turns into cancer. Some times it may take around 5 to 7 years for adenoma to grow into mid size and around 10 to 12 years to develop into cancerous colon adenoma. This if you take suitable precautions during the period, you may diagnose it well in time.
Some people have greater propensity to develop colon adenoma cancer. This group includes those having a family history of having polyps, or cancer of intestines in the past, colitis. If you smoke, eat oily and fatty foods, lead a sedentary life style and do not exercise and are overweight, the chances of having colon adenoma cancer are far more. It is important if you fall in any of these categories to have proper medical check up every 2 to 3 years after you attain the age of 50.
Your blood and stool test may reveal if you are having bleeding polyps in your colon which may be potentially cancerous. There is a specialized test called colonoscopy which you may undergo every 3 to 5 years to look for cancerous adenoma inside your colon. Surgical removal of colon adenoma polyps is one of the options that you may have to go for in case it is detected. It may make all the difference if you are able to diagnose colon adenoma in time.

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