In 2002, as a result of a colonoscopy, I had peritonitis. Since then I have had to have my colon checked once every two years. The first time, two small polyps were still present, but after the last time, in 2011, I didn’t have to come back for another seven years. Don’t you think that period is too long?
male (62)
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
No. Polyps are common; of people over the age of 50 have between 10 and 20 percent polyps without knowing it. Polyps only become malignant very occasionally. If polyps are discovered, they are removed and examined. Sometimes a check is made later to see if polyps come back. If few or no polyps appear, the period between two examinations can be much longer.
You always have to weigh the pros against the cons, and as you’ve noticed, there are also risks to a bowel examination. The medical guideline says that if you have two or fewer polyps, you don’t need to be examined for six years. In your case, nothing was found last time.
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