You have finished your screening colonoscopy, which is a big step toward keeping yourself healthy. Then you hear, "We found and took out some polyps." This common finding can make you feel both better and worse. What is a polyp? Is this a sign that I'm going to get cancer? What's going to happen next? A polyp diagnosis does not mean you have cancer; it is a very important chance to stop cancer from happening. You need a proactive partner to help you understand your results and keep you on track with a personalized surveillance plan as you move forward. Direct Primary Care (DPC) does this very well.
Colorectal polyps are small growths that come from the inside of the colon or rectum. They are very common, showing up in as many as half of adults who have routine colonoscopies.
The Polyp That Could Become Cancerous: There are many kinds of polyps, but adenomas and serrated polyps are the two main types that can turn into cancer. The best way to stop colorectal cancer is to find and remove these during a colonoscopy.
The "Adenoma-to-Carcinoma Sequence" (Your Window of Opportunity): The good news is that most colorectal cancers grow very slowly. It can take 5 to 10 years or more for a small, precancerous polyp to turn into cancer. This slow progression gives us a lot of time to find and remove polyps, which stops cancer before it even has a chance to start.
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership-based model that gives patients unlimited, direct access to their doctor. Your DPC doctor is in charge of your long-term health and your prevention plan while a gastroenterologist removes your polyps.
Here's why DPC is the best way to handle your follow-up care:
Running the First Screening That Finds Polyps: You can't take care of a polyp you don't know about. A DPC doctor is someone who helps you stay healthy.
They make sure you get your colorectal cancer screening on time, which starts at age 45 for people with an average risk.
They have time to talk with you about making a decision together about the best first screening test for you, whether it's a colonoscopy or a non-invasive stool-based test.
Going over your results and making a personalized plan for monitoring: This is where DPC's gift of time is very helpful. After your colonoscopy, your DPC doctor can take their time going over your pathology report with you and clearly explaining the number, size, and type of polyps that were found.
Using these specific results, they will tell you when you need your next follow-up colonoscopy (for example, in 3, 5, 7, or 10 years) based on national guidelines from groups like the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer.
Making sure you never miss a follow-up (the DPC Safety Net): This is the most important thing your DPC doctor does. In a healthcare system that is busy and broken up, it's easy to forget about a follow-up that is years away.
A Proactive Tracking System: Your DPC practice will have a way to keep track of when your specific surveillance is due.
A Reminder When You Need It: They will call you when it's time for your next colonoscopy, so you don't miss this important preventive care that could save your life. This DPC safety net fills in a big hole in traditional healthcare.
Case 1: David, 52, had his first screening colonoscopy. The report says that two small, low-risk polyps were removed and that he should "follow up in 7–10 years." His DPC doctor goes over the report with him, agrees that the 7-10 year interval is right, and writes a note in his chart to remind him in 7 years. When David turns 59, his DPC office will automatically get in touch with him to start the referral for his follow-up surveillance. This will make sure that it is done on time.
Case 2: A colonoscopy on Linda, 65, finds a big polyp with some advanced features. Her DPC doctor talks to her about why this finding puts her in a higher-risk group and why the guideline says she should have another colonoscopy in three years. Linda understands why the shorter interval is important thanks to this clear, slow explanation, and she easily follows the plan.
Q: I had polyps taken out during my colonoscopy. Does that mean I'm going to get cancer in my colon? A: No, it means the opposite! The best way to avoid colon cancer is to find and remove polyps that could turn into cancer. The polyps that could have turned into a problem are gone, so your risk of getting colon cancer is now much lower. The follow-up plan you have is meant to keep you safe for a long time.
Q: Why is the time I should follow up different from my friend's? A: Your surveillance interval is based on the level of risk you face. The number of polyps, their size (larger polyps are more likely to be dangerous), and their histology or cell type (polyps with "villous" features are more likely to be dangerous) all play a role in this. This is why it's so important to talk to your DPC doctor in depth about your report.
Q: My gastroenterologist has already told me when to come back. Why do I need my DPC doctor to be there? A: It's easy to forget about a doctor's appointment that is five or ten years away. Your DPC doctor is in charge of your health and safety in the long term. They work with you to keep track of these important deadlines and make sure you never miss a follow-up, which is a common problem that can have very bad results.
DPC is clearly better for patients who have had polyps removed because
Doing a great job of making sure people stick to long-term surveillance: The proactive, relationship-based DPC model is the best way to make sure you never miss your important follow-up colonoscopy years down the line.
DPC's time lets them explain complicated pathology reports and surveillance plans in a clear and reassuring way, which helps people feel less anxious.
Giving a Real Partnership in Cancer Prevention: DPC is more than just a one-time screening; it's a long-term plan to keep you free of colorectal cancer for the rest of your life.
Finding and getting rid of a colorectal polyp is a big step toward stopping cancer. The game isn't over yet, though. To stay safe, you need a long-term plan and a partner who will stick with you. Direct Primary Care makes sure that a small polyp today doesn't turn into a big problem tomorrow by giving you a personalized plan, keeping track of it, and being there for you all the time.
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