Acıbadem Ataşehir Hospital Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Selçuk Dişibeyaz, stating that colon cancer is a preventable cancer, said, “Colon polyps that develop in the superficial structure of the large intestine are one of the leading symptoms of colon cancer. However, colon polyps can be found in our gut without any symptoms. They carry the risk of colon cancer according to their location, number, size and type. Today, when colon polyps, which are found in 1 out of every 4 people over the age of 50 and are more common in men, are detected and removed during colonoscopy, cancer is also prevented. For this reason, it is life-saving to have colonoscopy at intervals recommended by the physician, starting from the age of 50. says.
5 WRONG FACTS ABOUT COLUMN POLYPS!
Emphasizing that false information about colon polyps and colonoscopy also negatively affects early diagnosis and treatment, Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Selçuk Dişibeyaz talked about 5 wrongs that are thought to be true in society about colon polyps, and made important warnings and suggestions.
It is unnecessary for me to have a colonoscopy when I have no complaints: WRONG!
FACT: Stating that you may need to have a colonoscopy without any complaints, Prof. Dr. Selçuk Dişibeyaz said, “Because colon polyps, which can be a leading indicator of colon cancer, can be found in our intestines without any symptoms. They also show no signs in the abdominal examination performed by your doctor. For this reason, the large intestines should be examined by endoscopic methods with a light camera, even if there is no complaint in high-risk individuals at younger ages and over 50 years of age. This method, called colonoscopy, should be performed regularly at intervals recommended by your physician. says.
I eat healthy, I exercise. I don’t have colon polyps: FALSE!
FACT: Prof. Dr. Selçuk Dişibeyaz stated that a healthy lifestyle contributes positively to reducing the risk of colon polyps, but there are many risk factors in the formation of colon polyps, and says: Having a history of cancer increases the risk of colon polyps. In other words, a 50-year-old person has a higher risk of having colon polyps than a 40-year-old person; Overweight individuals also encounter more colon polyps than lean individuals. This rate is slightly higher in men. Consuming fibrous foods, greens, legumes and fruits, Mediterranean diet, and reducing red meat consumption can reduce the risk of colon polyp formation, but it certainly does not eliminate it.
Colonoscopy can damage my gut: FALSE!
FACT: Although colonoscopy can cause anxiety, such as fear, embarrassment, the stress of encountering an unexpected disease, and pain in many aspects, Prof. Gastroenterology Specialist, who emphasized that colonoscopy is a safe examination. Dr. Selçuk Dişibeyaz “Colonoscopy has been used in medicine starting from 1806 until today by improving its technique, quality and capacity. Of course, every interventional procedure may have risks that vary according to the age of the patient and existing comorbidities. However, this remains at very low rates today. Risks such as the frequently asked ‘intestinal perforation’ are actually reported as one in ten thousand. Moreover, thanks to the developing medical technology, it is possible to successfully treat conditions such as bleeding and perforation, although rare, during colonoscopy.” says.
Even if I have another test instead of a colonoscopy: WRONG!
FACT: Stating that colonoscopy is the most important examination method in the evaluation of the intestine, it plays a very important role not only in diagnosis but also in treatment. Dr. Selçuk Dişibeyaz says: “Today, there is no equivalent alternative to colonoscopy in evaluating the internal structure of the intestine. Advanced methods such as capsule endoscopy or advanced radiological examinations (such as Computerized Tomography) can of course be used in the evaluation of the large intestine; however, these are indirect methods that only provide diagnosis and are less troublesome, which is controversial. Moreover, even if these methods are performed, colonoscopy may be required for definitive diagnosis, biopsy or treatment.
I had a colonoscopy once, I don’t need to have it done again: WRONG!
FACT: Stating that intestinal polyps can recur, each polyp has a unique substructure, and its character and behavior change according to its location, number, type, Prof. Dr. Selçuk Dişibeyaz said, “Therefore, according to the results of the colonoscopy, colonoscopy should be performed regularly at certain time intervals to be determined by the physician, and these polyps should be removed when they are seen. Inflammatory diseases and vascular diseases of the intestine also require endoscopic follow-up at regular intervals. Having multiple colonoscopies is not a threat to health, on the contrary, it is protective, preventive and curative against bowel cancer.” says.