During the course of the examination, a polyp may be found. Polyps are abnormal growth of tissue, which vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches. If one or many polyps are found, a wire loop (snare) can be passed and an electrical current is used to sever the attached polyp. You should feel no pain during the removal of the polyp. Polyps are removed because they can cause bleeding and may contain cancer cells. Although the majority of polyps are benign, (non-cancerous), a small percentage may contain an area of cancer or may develop into cancer. Removal of polyps, therefore, is an important means of preventing and curing colon cancer, which is one of the leading forms of cancer in the United States.