Finding Polyps In Colonoscopy: Early Detection, Big Impact

If your doctor found polyps during your colonoscopy, don’t panic. This is why screening matters. Polyps are common and removing them early helps prevent colon cancer. Here’s what they are, what they mean for your health and how your care team can help you through the next steps.

Key Takeaways

• Colon polyps are small growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum.
• Most polyps are harmless, but some can become precancerous growths over time.
• Removing polyps through a polypectomy during colonoscopy can prevent up to 90 percent of colorectal cancers.
• Your doctor will recommend follow-up screening based on the number, size and type of polyps found.
• Preventive colon cancer screening saves lives through early detection and intervention.

Understanding Colon Polyps

“Colon polyps are small growths that form on the inside lining of your colon,” said Zohair Ahmed, MD, gastroenterologist with Franciscan Physician Network in Michigan City. “You can think of them like a small mushroom or bump. It’s just a cluster of abnormal cells that grow where they shouldn’t.”

Colon polyps are common, especially after age 45. While most are harmless, some can slowly change into precancerous growths if left in place for years. A  colonoscopy finds these growths — and allows your doctor to remove them before they turn into cancer.

Types Of Polyps And Cancer Risk

Polyps are common, but some need closer attention. The type of polyp your doctor finds helps determine your cancer risk and how soon you’ll need another screening.

“The type of polyp matters because certain polyps are higher risk than others,” said Evan Fitz, MD, colon and rectal surgeon with Franciscan Health Indianapolis. “You can’t see or feel them yourself — that’s our job. We find them, remove them and tell you exactly what kind they are.”

Common types of polyps include:

• Adenomatous polyps (adenomas):The most common type of precancerous growths. Without removal, some can turn into cancer over several years.
• Hyperplastic polyps: Usually small and low risk. Most do not become cancerous.
• Sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs): Flatter and harder to detect. These can also be precancerous and may require closer follow-up.
• Inflammatory polyps: Often linked to conditions like bowel inflammation, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. They’re usually noncancerous but signal inflammation in the colon.

“The chances that a single polyp will ever develop into cancer are around 1 percent, but about 98 percent of cancers start as a polyp,” Dr. Fitz said. “We remove them right away to stop that process before it begins.”

After your colonoscopy, your doctor will explain what kind of polyps they found and what that means for your next screening. Knowing the type helps your care team decide how closely to monitor your colon health.

How Colon Polyps Are Found And Removed

During a colonoscopy, your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look at the colon’s lining. If they find a polyp, it’s removed immediately using specialized instruments, a simple procedure called polypectomy.

“If I see anything that looks suspicious, I remove it or biopsy it right away,” Dr. Fitz explained. “It usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. After that, we review the results and tell you when you’ll need your next colonoscopy — maybe in 10 years if everything looks great, or sooner if we find a few polyps.”

We gently remove smaller polyps with a wire loop or heat. Larger or flatter ones may need advanced techniques, but can usually be removed during the same procedure.

You might not even notice a difference in recovery. “Polyps are tiny, often 5 millimeters or less,” Dr. Fitz said. “Removing one doesn’t change recovery. Very rarely, someone might notice a little bleeding once or twice, but it goes away quickly.”

Follow-Up And Surveillance

Once polyps  are removed, they’re sent to a lab to confirm their type. Your doctor uses those results to plan when your next colonoscopy should happen.

Here’s what that usually looks like:

• Low risk: One or two small adenomas → repeat colonoscopy in 5–10 years
• Moderate risk: Multiple or larger precancerous growths→ follow-up in 3–5 years
• High risk: Large or advanced polyps → repeat in 1–3 years

“The bigger the polyp, the more closely we follow up,” Dr. Fitz said. “If you had a one-centimeter polyp, we might do another scope in a year or three,” Dr. Fitz said. “We want to stay ahead of anything new.”

Reduce Your Risk Long-Term

You can’t always prevent colon polyps from forming, but you can lower your risk with healthy habits and regular screening.

• Get screened regularly. Start at age 45, or earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
• Eat a fiber-rich diet. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains help keep your colon healthy.
• Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Both increase the risk of precancerous growths.
• Stay active. Exercise supports digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight.
• Know your history. Tell your doctor if you’ve had polyps before or if anyone in your family has had colon cancer.

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Screening and lifestyle changes together save lives.

If you want to know what symptoms to watch between screenings, read our blog on colon cancer symptoms in women. Understanding early signs helps you stay aware and confident about your health.

Schedule Your Screening With Franciscan Health

Franciscan Health offers comprehensive colon cancer screening and advanced colonoscopy services to find and remove polyps early.