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A polyp is an extra piece of tissue that grows inside your body. Colonic polyps grow in the large intestine, or colon. Most polyps are benign and not considered dangerous, but some polyps may become cancerous.
Anyone can have polyps, but certain people are more likely to develop polyps than others. You may have a greater chance of getting polyps if you:
- Are over age 50
- Have had polyps before
- Have a family member with polyps
- Have a family history of colon cancer
Most colon polyps do not cause symptoms. When present, however, symptoms may include blood on your underwear or on toilet paper following a bowel movement, blood in your stool, and constipation or diarrhea lasting more than one week.