Question: How do doctors treat colon polyps?
Answer: Doctors treat colon polyps by removing them.

In most cases, doctors use special tools during a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy to remove colon polyps. After doctors remove the polyp, they send it for testing to check for cancer. A pathologist will review the test results and send a report to your doctor. Doctors can remove almost all polyps without surgery.

If you have colon polyps, your doctor will ask you to get tested regularly in the future because you have a higher chance of developing more polyps.
Question: Seek Care Right Away
Answer: Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms after he or she removes a colon polyp:

severe pain in yourabdomen
fever
bloodybowel movementsthat do not get better
bleeding from youranusthat does not stop
dizziness
weakness
Question: How can I prevent colon polyps?
Answer: Researchers don’t know a sure way to prevent colon polyps. However, you can take steps to lower your chances of developing colon polyps.

Eating, diet, and nutrition

Eating, diet, and nutrition changes—such as eating less red meat and more fruits and vegetables—may lower your chances of developing colon polyps.

Healthy lifestyle choices

You can make the following healthy lifestyle choices to help lower your chances of developing colon polyps:

getregular physical activity
don’t smoke cigarettes, and if you do smoke, quit
avoid drinking alcohol
lose weight if you’re overweight

Aspirin

Taking a low dose of aspirin every day for a long period of time may help prevent polyps from developing into colorectal cancer in some people.5 However, taking aspirin daily may cause side effects such as bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Talk with your doctor before you start taking aspirin daily.