8 symptoms of colon polyps

“Not all colon polyps are cancerous but all colon cancer starts as a polyp which is why everyone needs to know about them and be screened regularly for them,” says Dr Fola May, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the director of Fight Colorectal Cancer. “And colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer killer of men and women combined.”

Yikes! OK, we’re listening… but what are polyps, exactly? Colon polyps are growths that occur on the inner lining of the large intestine (colon), or the rectum (which comprises the last 15 centimetres of the GI system before the body expels solid waste). Polyps vary in size and shape, ranging from small, flat bumps to larger, mushroom-shaped growths.

Polyps are quite common: It’s estimated that 15 per cent to 40 per cent of adults have them, and people who have them generally have more than one,” adds Dr May.

Polyps can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Only a percentage of polyps will become cancerous – and of those that do, they generally take years to turn cancerous.

One major problem? “Early polyps often look like a small pimple,” Dr Mays says – so small that if you had one, you almost certainly wouldn’t know it. “You will most likely not be able to feel symptoms or see signs of a polyp,” Dr May says. “Most polyps and early-stage colorectal cancers do not cause symptoms that you can see or feel.” The only way to diagnose and remove polyps is with a colonoscopy, which is why it’s important to start getting cancer screens regularly starting at age 45.

“Since it is difficult to tell during colonoscopy which polyps have the potential to become cancerous, the goal of the procedure is to remove them all,” she explains.

There are the three types of polyps:

Adenomatous polyps: These are the most common type and the most likely to become cancer. They may be described as tubular, villous, or tubulovillous polyp, which are the different growth patterns of the polyp.

Hyperplastic polyp and inflammatory polyp: These are common but usually not cancerous. If yours is rather large, your doctor may recommend getting a colonoscopy more often than the standard every 10 years.

Sessile serrated polyps and traditional serrated adenomas: These have a higher risk of being cancerous. Sessile are broad and flat polyps, while serrated polyps have a “saw-tooth” appearance.

Dr May emphasises that most people experience no symptoms of polyps, especially at the early stages – but adds that as they grow larger, they may cause some symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms they may indicate colon polyps, colorectal cancer, or some other gastrointestinal issue and they warrant a call to your doctor.

If you see bright red blood in your poop, in the toilet after defecating, or on the toilet paper after wiping, it may be bleeding from an irritated polyp. This is the most common symptom of larger colon polyps.

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Polyps, particularly those that have gotten large, can cause bleeding. Over time this blood loss can lead to anaemia, or a low red blood cell count. You may feel tired, or your doctor may notice it in a routine blood test.

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Any new changes in bowel movements that last longer than a week are cause for concern, says Dr May. These can include diarrhoea or constipation or a change in the consistency and shape of the stool. “Pencil shaped stool – long, narrow poop – is a sign of colorectal cancer, especially if it happens suddenly,” she says.

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Losing weight without trying is one of the hallmark signs that colon polyps have progressed into later-stage colorectal cancer. As they grow larger, they can block nutrient absorption in the colon, causing unexplained weight loss.

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On its own, this symptom can have many causes… but if you feel consistent cramping or pain in your abdomen along with other symptoms on this list, it may indicate colon polyps. This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain.

Anaemia brought on by polyps often causes fatigue, exhaustion, and a feeling of overall weakness. If you experience this symptom along with others on this list – particularly rectal bleeding – call your doc right away.

Feeling always out of breath or like you can’t catch your breath during normal activities is another side effect of the anaemia due to blood loss.

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