Creating a Guideline for Frequency of Repeat Colonoscopies in Patients With a History of Benign Colon Polyps: A Pilot Study

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Colon cancer is a significant health concern in the United States. The proper follow-up of colon polyps is one of the most important steps in the prevention of colon cancer. This process involves the performance of colonoscopies on a regular basis once benign colon polyps have been found. The purpose of this paper is to serve as a pilot study for a larger study currently being undertaken by the Section of Gastroenterology at the Guthrie Clinic, to create a guideline as to how frequently colonoscopies need to be repeated in patients with a history of colon polyps. By determining the yield of significant findings, ie, pre-cancerous or cancerous polyps, from colonoscopies performed at one year, two year, three year, and more than three year intervals after diagnosis of benign colon polyps, a statement can be made as to whether or not performing colonoscopies at intervals greater than one year would be effective. The results of this pilot study indicate that it would not be beneficial to wait more than one year after the discovery of benign colon polyps to perform follow-up colonoscopy. It should also be mentioned that the results of this study may not be indicative of the results of the larger study which is still in progress.