Prophylaxis
For persons over 50 years of age, the statutory health insurance pays for a prophylactic colonoscopy. It is worth taking this because polyps detected early can be easily removed, while undetected polyps pose a high risk of cancer. Furthermore, it makes sense to eat less fat- and protein-rich food and to eat more fiber. A conscious nutrition with salad, vegetables and fruit should prevent intestinal diseases.
Summary
Colon polyps are a common disease. They are usually not detected or by chance during a preventive colonoscopy or a colonoscopy with other questions. Most colon polyps are harmless, but discovered polyps must always be removed and then histologically examined, because in rare cases they can be very dangerous and are a precursor of colon cancer.
Due to the increased incidence of colon polyps in the elderly population (>60 years), it is advisable to have an annual colonoscopy as a preventive measure. The statutory health insurance pays for prophylactic colonoscopy for persons over 50 years of age. A rare cause of colon polyps is the hereditary polyposis syndrome. Among these, familial adenomatous polyposis with a cancer risk of over 90% is particularly dangerous.
