Colon Polyps

Colon and rectal cancer—also called colorectal cancer most often begins as polyps. Most polyps are not cancerous, but some may turn into cancer over time. Removing polyps can help prevent colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Although anyone can develop colon polyps, you may have a greater chance of developing them if you

• are age 45 or older
• have someone in your family who has had polyps or colorectal cancer
• have inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• have obesity
• smoke cigarettes

Screening is testing for diseases when you have no symptoms. Finding and removing polyps can help prevent colorectal cancer. Your doctor will recommend screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 45 if you don’t have health problems or other factors that make you more likely to develop colorectal cancer.

If you are at higher risk for colorectal cancer, your doctor may recommend screening at a younger age. You also may need to be tested more often.

If you are older than age 75, talk with your doctor about whether you should be screened. For more information, read the current colorectal cancer screening guidelines External link from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Experts aren’t sure what causes colon polyps. However, research suggests that certain factors, such as age and family history, can raise your chances of developing colon polyps. Learn who is more likely to develop colon polyps.

Doctors can find colon polyps only by using certain tests or procedures, such as a colonoscopy or imaging study. Your doctor may first take a medical and family history and perform a physical exam to help decide which test or procedure is best for you.

For example, your doctor may ask if you have any symptoms. He or she may also ask if you have a family history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer NIH external link. After taking a medical and family history, your doctor may perform a physical exam.

Tests and procedures

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy. For a flexible sigmoidoscopy, a trained medical professional uses a sigmoidoscope—a flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end—to look inside your rectum and lower colon. Flexible sigmoidoscopy can show irritated or swollen tissue, ulcers, polyps, and cancer.
• Colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy, a trained medical professional uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end, called a colonoscope, to look inside your rectum and colon. Colonoscopy can show irritated and swollen tissue, ulcers, polyps, and cancer.
• Virtual colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy uses x-rays and a computer to create images of your rectum and colon from outside the body. Virtual colonoscopy can show ulcers, polyps, and cancer. Doctors can’t remove polyps during virtual colonoscopy.
• Lower gastrointestinal series. For a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series, a doctor uses x-rays and a chalky liquid called barium to view your large intestine. The barium will make your large intestine easier to see on an x-ray. A lower GI series is also called a barium enema.