Polyps are small growths that are typically benign. There are many different types of polyps such as colonic polyps, hyperplastic polyps, colorectal polyps, serrated polyps, and adenomatous polyps. They can form in various places throughout the body, like the ear canal, cervix, throat, and uterus. However, they’re most commonly found in the colon. Colon polyps form on the lining of the colon (or large intestine) and tend to be harmless – though, over time, they can progress to a precancerous polyp, colon cancer, or colorectal cancer.1
They don’t typically cause symptoms, so a bleeding colon polyp might signal that it’s time to see a doctor. Arming yourself with knowledge will allow you to seek advice from a professional if you find that your bleeding colon polyps have led to colon cancer, also referred to as bowel or rectal cancer. The following information will help guide you whether you seek out conventional treatment or a natural colon cancer treatment plan. Read on to discover what a polyp is, whether or not they’re cancerous, and what you should do if you have them.
What Are Bleeding Polyps?
As we mentioned, bowel polyps don’t tend to cause symptoms, so people often aren’t even aware that they have polyps.2 Larger polyp growths can bleed, which can cause blood in the stool along with fatigue and anemia. In addition to minor rectal bleeding, large polyps can also cause a small amount of mucus in the stool, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Why Do Polyps Bleed to Begin With?
When discussing polyps in general, a common concern arises around their tendency to bleed. It’s a phenomenon that has puzzled many and led to a multitude of medical investigations. Understanding why polyps bleed offers clarity on their nature, how they interact with their environment, and their potential risks. By diving into the root causes and various factors, we can equip ourselves with valuable insights.
Causes of Bleeding
Polyps, as they grow, can sometimes interrupt the protective lining of the organs they inhabit, particularly the colon. This disruption might lead to minor injuries, especially during the passage of stool, causing them to bleed. The abnormal bleeding is not necessarily constant but can be intermittent, which is why it might sometimes go unnoticed in the early stages.3
Distinguishing Factors
While it’s true that polyps have the potential to bleed, it’s essential to recognize that not all do, and the ones that bleed might do so due to several reasons. The size, location, and type of the polyp play a pivotal role. For example, larger polyps have a higher surface area prone to injury. Additionally, certain medications or other external factors can exacerbate the risk, causing even small or otherwise less-prone polyps to bleed.
The Significance of Bleeding Colon Polyps
The discovery of blood, whether in noticeable amounts or trace amounts, can understandably be a cause for alarm for many. While bleeding doesn’t always indicate a severe complication, it is important to understand the implications and seek timely intervention with a healthcare professional. With proper knowledge, patients can take informed actions and mitigate potential risks.4
Colon Health Risks
Beyond the immediate discomfort and concern that may accompany the discovery of blood, persistent bleeding from a rectal polyp can have systemic implications. One consequence is anemia, a condition where the body lacks enough red blood cells to transport oxygen efficiently. Anemia can result in fatigue and weakness.5 Additionally, consistent blood loss, even in small amounts, can put stress on the body’s regenerative capacities and negatively impact overall well-being.
Are They Cancerous?
Bleeding colon polyps don’t usually turn into cancer, though bleeding colon polyps might be an early sign of colon cancer.6 In general, larger polyps cause a greater cancer risk- particularly with neoplastic polyps (which include polyps such as a villous adenoma and serrated types of polyps). There is a great risk of bowel polyps developing into cancer if left untreated. For this reason, it’s important to talk to your doctor, who will most likely recommend getting a barium enema for further analysis. Secondary to this, they might recommend getting your polyps treated or will suggest a polypectomy.
What Should You Do?
There are a few different methods for treating bleeding colon polyps. The best way to treat them is to remove your developing polyps, which often happens during a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy involves putting a flexible tube through the rectum and into the large bowel. The colonoscope instrument can burn or cut off the polyps (don’t worry – this part is painless).
After a colonoscopy is performed, a doctor looks at the polyps under a microscope and analyzes whether or not there are cancer cells in the polyp. Suppose polyps are large or there is a cancerous polyp present. In that case, doctors may suggest surgery to have them removed (as colonoscopies can only remove small polyps) in a surgery called a polyp resection in which polyps are removed from the inside of the colon, also called the large intestine. This is typically done through a minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopic surgery, in which a long thin tube called a laparoscope is inserted to give surgeons a visual of the colon. From there, the doctor can remove polyps from the colon, and the tissue can be further analyzed.
What If It’s Cancer?
Once you’ve discovered bleeding colon polyps and gone to the doctor, the next step is to figure out what your diagnosis means. If you receive a colorectal cancer screening back that states you do have colon cancer, try not to panic, as there are several options for you to choose from to have your polyps removed and for treating cancer. Colon cancer can affect anyone at any age. Some even fall victim to many of the risk factors, and it’s a lot more common than you might think. Thankfully, there are conventional methods for treating it that typically involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
There is also a range of alternative cancer treatments for colon cancer to support patients’ recovery. At Immunity Therapy Center, we’re happy to offer these treatments, as they help alleviate the pain and discomfort that comes with traditional methods like chemo and radiation.
Whether you’re using only natural treatments or combining natural treatments with conventional methods, we believe that keeping healthy cells healthy is just as important as killing bad cells. Many successful alternative cancer treatments and natural remedies for skin cancer can also be very beneficial to your health.
We have a team that is dedicated, enthusiastic, and passionate about what we do. When you come to see us, we don’t want you to feel like another chart or diagnosis – we want every patient to feel at home. We’re happy to say that Tijuana has become a hub for alternative cancer treatment centers and is now paving the way for holistic care to become part of the cancer treatment dialogue worldwide.
From all of us at Immunity Therapy Center, thanks for reading. To minimize your risk factors for colon cancer, remember to regularly check for cancerous polyps with colonoscopies and screening tests. And don’t forget that if you’ve discovered rectal bleeding and think you may have bleeding colon polyps, please make sure to reach out to a doctor to discuss your symptoms. They can help alleviate any anxieties you may have through a colonoscopy and will help to navigate the next steps and alternative treatment options.
Sources:
- Harvard Health. Colon Polyps – what is it? https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/colon-polyps-a-to-z
- Bowel polyps. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/bowel-polyps/
- Colon Polyps: Symptoms, Causes, Types & Removal. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-polyps/symptoms-causes/syc-20352875
- Colon Polyps: Symptoms, Causes, Types & Removal. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15370-colon-polyps
- Colon polyps. https://nchmd.org/health-library/articles/con-20306107/
- Colon Polyps: Are they cancerous? https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/about-colorectal-cancer/prevention/colon-polyps/
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.