On an ordinary weekend, Uncle Li walked into the hospital for his annual health check-up, expecting everything to be business as usual. Uncle Li is a retired teacher, and he has always been very concerned about his health. This year's check-up was supposed to be an easy one for him, until the doctor told him that several rectal polyps had been found during a colonoscopy.
Uncle Li's heart was suddenly full of questions and uneasiness, he had never heard of rectal polyps before, let alone dealt with such a diagnosis. Seeing his concern, the doctor explained the nature of the polyp in detail and mentioned a number of things that needed further investigation. This conversation made Uncle Li realize that although rectal polyps are common, not everyone is aware of their potential effects.
This made Uncle Li wonder if his friends and family around him could also carry this asymptomatic growth without knowing it. He decided to learn more about the issue and tell others about it through his own experiences in order to raise awareness and awareness of it.
Rectal Polyp Basics: Understanding Your Inner "Uninvited Guest"
What are rectal polyps?
Rectal polyps are protrusions of tissue that grow on the lining of the rectum and can be single or multiple. They are mostly benign, but some types of polyps have a potential risk of malignant transformation, i.e., developing into tumors. The size, shape, and number of polyps can vary widely, ranging from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, and they may be flat or pedunculated.
Classification of polyps
Polyps are mainly divided into several categories according to their pathological characteristics:
Adenomous polyps: This is the most common type and has some potential to become cancerous. Adenomous polyps usually occur in older adults, and their risk of becoming cancerous is related to the size, shape and number of polyps.
Inflammatory polyps: usually associated with inflammatory diseases of the intestine such as ulcerative colitis, and the risk of cancer is relatively low.
Hamartoma polyps: More common in young people, these polyps rarely become cancerous.
Mechanism of polyp development
Although the exact cause of rectal polyps is not fully understood, research suggests that genetic factors, dietary habits, lifestyle, and age may all play a role in the formation of polyps. A high-fat, low-fiber diet, as well as lack of exercise, are thought to increase the risk of polyp formation.
Rectal polyps and the cancer threat: Know your risk
Rectal polyps, although common, are unsettling for many middle-aged and elderly people. This concern stems mainly from the potential risk of polyps turning into cancer. Understanding these risks and taking timely preventive measures is essential to maintaining health.
When do rectal polyps become a threat?
Rectal polyps are small lumps that grow on the lining of the rectum and are mostly benign. However, some of these types, especially adenomatous polyps, may be at risk of becoming cancerous. Studies have shown that the probability of adenomatous polyps becoming cancerous is related to their size, shape, and number. Specifically, polyps larger than 1 cm in diameter, more than three in number, or polyps with villous structures have a significantly increased risk of becoming cancerous.
What are the high-risk factors?
Genetic predisposition: A history of familial polyposis, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome, substantially increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Lifestyle: Poor diet (high fat, low fiber), physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking are all known risk factors.
Prevention and control strategy: early detection, early treatment
Prevention of colorectal cancer
The first strategy to prevent rectal polyps is to make lifestyle changes. Eat a diet rich in fiber, eat small, frequent meals, and avoid too much red and processed meat. Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight not only prevent polyps, but also help improve overall health.
Regular screenings: a line of defense that can't be ignored
For most middle-aged and older people, regular colonoscopies are recommended starting at age 50. For people with a history of genetic disease, this age should be appropriately advanced. Colonoscopy not only detects polyps but also removes them in the same procedure, greatly reducing the risk of cancer.
Excision: Timely removal of polyps
Once a polyp is found, removal by colonoscopic excision is often recommended, especially for those with a potential high risk. In addition, for those who are not candidates for endoscopic surgery, a more traditional surgical approach may need to be considered.
Pharmacotherapy: adjunct
In some cases, your doctor may recommend medication to reduce the risk of polyps becoming cancerous. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, have been shown to reduce the recurrence of polyps to some extent.
Rectal polyps do not necessarily cause cancer, but their presence does increase the risk. This can be effectively managed by adopting aggressive lifestyle modifications, regular colonoscopies, and necessary medical interventions.