Colon & rectal polyps
An overview of Providence Health Care’s services and resources for patients with colon and rectal polyps.
Overview
Colon and rectal polyps are clumps of cells that grow in the large intestine, also known as the colon, and rectum.
Most polyps are harmless and do not cause symptoms. Some polyps can develop into colorectal cancer. We recommend regular screening if you are 50 to 74 years old. This is to catch and remove polyps before they turn cancerous.
Contact
Pacific Gastroenterology Associates
770 – 1190 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2K5
Diagnosis & testing
At Providence Health Care, we use four main tests to diagnose colon and rectal polyps.
Treatment & management
To prevent colorectal cancer, we recommend removing any colon and rectal polyps that we find.
At Providence, we can remove polyps during a colonoscopy. In some cases, the polyp is too large or complicated to remove in the scheduled procedure time. If this happens, we'll rebook the removal for another day.
Current guidelines also recommend you get follow up screening every three to five years. This is to catch and remove new polyps early before they become precancerous.
Support services
Providence offers a variety of services to support those we care for. The following services may be of use or benefit to you and your families.
Support for Indigenous Peoples
The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.
Education & resources
Patient education
Useful resources
Clinical trials & research
Advances in colon & rectal polyps treatments are all thanks to medical research. While participating in research is a decision you should make for yourself in consultation with your care team, there is much activity in this area so please ask us about our research programs if you’re interested.
By taking part in research, you can help us all learn more about colon & rectal polyps and find better ways to help people like you live and thrive with the condition. While you cannot assume benefit to yourself, your participation can make a difference in improving care for future patients.
The following clinical trials are currently enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information or contact the research team listed on each study or trial. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.