A major study reviewing over 8,400 colonoscopy records has found that patients with both adenomas and serrated polyps face a fivefold greater risk of developing advanced precancerous changes. Researchers from Flinders University discovered this high-risk combination is more common than expected, with nearly half of serrated polyp patients also having adenomas. The findings suggest these two polyp types may represent separate cancer pathways that can be active simultaneously. This underscores the critical importance of early detection and adherence to regular colonoscopy screening schedules, especially for individuals over 45 or with a family history.

Study finds having both adenomas & serrated polyps raises advanced precancer risk fivefold, highlighting need for regular colonoscopy screening.

Researchers find in a study that two types of colon polyps can raise bowel cancer risk fivefold. These two polyp types may represent separate cancer pathways that can occur at the same time. Nearly half of patients with serrated polyps also had adenomas, making this high-risk combination more common than expected.

The results emphasise the importance of early detection and regular colonoscopy monitoring. Researchers from Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre have identified an important connection between two common types of bowel polyps and a greater risk of cancer.

Their findings appear in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH). Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a major health concern.

In Australia, it ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death and the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer.

Many colorectal cancers begin as polyps, which are growths that develop on the inner lining of the bowel. These growths are usually benign and cause no immediate harm.

However, two specific types of polyps, adenomas and serrated polyps, have the potential to develop into cancer over time.

Colonoscopy Study Reveals Fivefold Increase in Risk

To better understand this risk, researchers reviewed more than 8,400 colonoscopy records. The analysis showed that people who had both adenomas and serrated polyps faced a much higher likelihood of developing advanced precancerous changes.