Ask Doctor K: Colon polyps can cause rectal bleeding in children

DEAR DOCTOR K: My young son had rectal bleeding caused by a colon polyp, which the doctor surgically removed. Why did he develop a polyp? Can we do anything to prevent more polyps from forming?

DEAR READER: Colon polyps are growths of tissue inside the colon (large intestine). They are a relatively common cause of bleeding from the rectum in children.

There are several types of colon polyps. Most are not cancerous, but some have a tendency to turn into cancer. Some people are born with a genetic tendency to develop multiple polyps. Certain inherited conditions can cause hundreds of polyps to grow in the colon and rectum.

Two of these conditions, both of which are rare, are familial adenomatous polyposis and Gardner’s syndrome. A child born with one of these conditions is at risk for developing colon cancer, even at a young age. Children who have such rare conditions may need to have their colons removed. This will eliminate the risk of colon cancer.

Because these types of polyps are so rare, it’s unlikely that your son has to worry about cancer. It sounds like your son has a common juvenile polyp.

Most children with bleeding from the rectum should get a colonoscopy. If a polyp is spotted, it can be painlessly removed during the colonoscopy. The polyp then can be examined to see what type it is, and whether it might turn cancerous.

You can help reduce your son’s chances of developing cancerous polyps in the following ways:

• Increase his consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

• Limit his intake of processed red meats.

• Encourage at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days.

• Aim for him to maintain a healthy weight.

As your son gets older, stress the importance of not smoking, as it increases the risk of colon cancer.

It will also be important for your son to be regularly screened for colon cancer. His doctor should tell you how often he should have a colonoscopy.