Intestinal polyps are a common but easily overlooked underlying health problem in medical practice. These polyps usually form in the lining of the intestine, and while most of the time they are benign, they can sometimes develop into malignant tumors. Therefore, early screening is essential to detect and manage these polyps.
Today, I would like to share a real diagnosis and treatment story, hoping to inspire more people to pay attention to intestinal health. One day, a male patient in his 50s (Xiao Wang) came to my clinic, he did not have any obvious symptoms, but felt that he had some problems with his bowel movements recently, and sometimes he had blood in his stool. He didn't think it was a good idea, thinking it might just be a mismatch.
However, in my experience, this symptom can be a sign of intestinal polyps. I recommend Xiao Wang to have a colonoscopy to rule out any potential problems. Xiao Wang was a little hesitant and felt that such a test could be troublesome, but I explained to him the importance of early screening and the benefits of finding problems and dealing with them in a timely manner.
Eventually, Xiao Wang accepted my suggestion and had a colonoscopy. The results showed that he did have a small polyp, but fortunately, it did not develop into a malignant tumor. Through early detection and treatment, Xiao Wang successfully got rid of this potential health risk and avoided more serious consequences.
Why Early Screening?
The importance of early screening for intestinal polyps is self-evident, just like fire prevention and theft prevention, and it is better to take precautions in advance than to regret them. Intestinal polyps are small, but they carry significant risks. Once it develops into bowel cancer, the consequences are unimaginable. Early screening can effectively detect and treat intestinal polyps and reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Just like buying a lottery ticket, if you don't buy it, you will definitely not win the lottery, and doing early screening increases the chance of finding diseases, which is equivalent to winning the "lottery" of health.
Who is eligible for early screening
People over 50 years old: Intestinal polyps mostly occur in middle-aged and elderly people, and it is recommended that people over 50 years old be screened regularly.
People with a family history: If you have a family history of bowel cancer or intestinal polyps, you are at increased risk and should start screening early.
In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, such as those with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, the longer the disease, the higher the risk of developing intestinal polyps.
People with a history of obesity or high-fat diet: obesity and high-fat diet are associated with the occurrence of intestinal polyps, and should be alert to the risk of disease.
People who smoke or drink too much: Long-term smoking and alcohol abuse increase the risk of bowel cancer and intestinal polyps, and screening needs to be strengthened.
Other high-risk groups, such as those with long-term exposure to organic solvents, chemicals, or radiation, and those with a history of chronic constipation, should also be considered.
The above groups of people should choose the appropriate screening method and frequency according to their actual situation and doctors' advice, and find problems and take measures in time.
Recommendations after early screening
Regular follow-up: Regular follow-up is recommended even if the screening result is negative. For high-risk groups, screening is recommended at regular intervals to ensure timely detection of abnormalities.
Pay attention to diet: It is recommended to have a varied diet, consume enough dietary fiber and fresh vegetables and fruits, limit the intake of high-fat, high-sugar and high-protein foods, drink moderate water, and keep your stool smooth.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of polyps and bowel cancer, so maintaining an appropriate weight is important to reduce the risk of intestinal disease.
Please note that the above recommendations are for reference only and are subject to personal conditions and doctor's advice.