Although they are not cancerous, they have the potential to become cancer. This is why polyps should be removed and the entire colon checked for more polyps.
Polyps tend to run in families.
There are a few inherited conditions in which many polyps appear at an early age. In these conditions, cancer almost always develops, so the standard treatment is to remove the entire colon. The conditions are rare and account for less than 1 percent of all colon and rectal cancers. Most polyps are found in people over 50 who have no other symptoms. Undetected blood loss and resulting anemia may occur.