ASK A PRO COLORECTAL Dr. Cole Kreofsky, CANCER Radiation Oncologist, Bismarck Cancer Center Q: I recently had a colonoscopy and was told I have polyps. Does this mean that l'm going to get colorectal cancer? A: The vast majority of polyps are NOT cancerous or even pre-cancerous. The precancerous polyp which can turn into a cancer is called an adenoma and usually the larger the size of a polyp, the greater the chance that there may be cancer or pre- cancerous cells. Since it's hard to determine the exact nature of a polyp, polyps found during colonoscopies are removed and sent to the lab for a microscopic analysis. Most polyps do not produce any symptoms, which is why screening is so important. Very large adenomas and cancers are removed with surgery. If the cancer is found in the early stages, surgery can cure the disease. Advanced colorectal cancers may be treated in a variety of ways, depending on their location. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. In the early stages of colorectal cancer, symptoms may be minimal, or not present at all. Some changes that may be considered colon cancer signs include: change in frequency of bowel movements, constipation, loose stools, blood in stools, or abdominal pain. People with an average risk of colon cancer should consider screening at age 45, but people with an increased risk, such as family history of colon cancer or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease should consider screening before 45. BISMARCK CANCER ICENTER 701-222-6100 500 N8th St,Bismarck bismarckcancercenter.com ASK A PRO COLORECTAL Dr. Cole Kreofsky, CANCER Radiation Oncologist, Bismarck Cancer Center Q: I recently had a colonoscopy and was told I have polyps. Does this mean that l'm going to get colorectal cancer? A: The vast majority of polyps are NOT cancerous or even pre-cancerous. The precancerous polyp which can turn into a cancer is called an adenoma and usually the larger the size of a polyp, the greater the chance that there may be cancer or pre- cancerous cells. Since it's hard to determine the exact nature of a polyp, polyps found during colonoscopies are removed and sent to the lab for a microscopic analysis. Most polyps do not produce any symptoms, which is why screening is so important. Very large adenomas and cancers are removed with surgery. If the cancer is found in the early stages, surgery can cure the disease. Advanced colorectal cancers may be treated in a variety of ways, depending on their location. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. In the early stages of colorectal cancer, symptoms may be minimal, or not present at all. Some changes that may be considered colon cancer signs include: change in frequency of bowel movements, constipation, loose stools, blood in stools, or abdominal pain. People with an average risk of colon cancer should consider screening at age 45, but people with an increased risk, such as family history of colon cancer or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease should consider screening before 45. BISMARCK CANCER ICENTER 701-222-6100 500 N8th St,Bismarck bismarckcancercenter.com