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A polyp removed from Joe Biden’s intestine during a colonoscopy last week turned out to be benign, but it could be pre-cancerous.
The 79-year-old president underwent a colonoscopy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland last week, after experiencing loose bowels and excessive flatulence.
Biden was placed under anesthesia and a flexible tube with a camera attached was snaked into his rectum, large intestine and small intestine.
His doctor performed a colonoscopy procedure to inspect the intestinal walls for polyps or cancerous lesions.
Dr. Kevin C. O’Connor, physician to the president, said the polyp could be pre-cancerous but it was removed and requires no further action.
A follow-up colonoscopy will be conducted in 7-10 years, the doctor wrote in a memo.
Dr. O’Connor insists Biden is “fit for duty,” but the president is showing some signs of aging.
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While he was under, Vice President Kamala Harris assumed the powers and duties of the president for approximately 90 minutes.
Most polyps are harmless growths or clumps of cells on the intestine wall. They are also found in the uterus, cervix, stomach, ear, nose, bladder, and throat.
Polyps become dangerous when they develop into colon cancer or uterine cancer.
“The best prevention for colon cancer is regular screening for and removal of polyps,” the Mayo clinic advises on its website.
Other preventions include eating less meat or no meat, taking an Aspirin a day, and eating a calcium-rich diet.
