Epidemiology

Colorectal adenomatous polyps are common, with a prevalence of 20% to 60% in individuals aged >50 years.[3] Individuals aged <50 years have a reported prevalence of 20%. The distribution of colonic adenomas is dependent on age; whereas adenomas in patients >50 years are evenly distributed throughout the colon, younger patients have a greater incidence of distal colonic and rectal polyps.[4][5][6]​​​​​ Men have a 1.5 to 3 times greater relative risk compared with women.[7][8][9]

Flat adenomas, which have a more depressed appearance, carry a significantly higher risk of both dysplasia and cancer.[10] Black people have a higher risk of having polyps >9 mm in diameter compared with white people.[9][11]

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