Colon cancer is a disease that evolves slowly in the colon area. The cause of cancer development is not yet known by researches, but it is believed that the heritage of some mutant genes can favor the disease. However, colon cancer is first formed as abnormal growths or polyps that are formed in the individual’s colon.

This polyps are not at first cancerous, but they have the potential in becoming if they are nor removed and treated in time. So, colon polyps can grow into cancer.

However, colon cancer usually starts with these polyps, which are actually bumps on the colon. There are two types of polyps, which tend to be more common, the hyperplastic polyps, that in general on the left side of the colon do not have the potential of becoming cancerous, and that usually are not transformed in colon cancer.

Anyway, they should be removed because they may become a reason of concern when they are located on the right side of the colon. On the other hand, the adenomas polyps can become colon cancer on the left side, but are not very dangerous in the right one.


However, it is best to remove any abnormal growth that can be transformed in colon cancer. Why do colon polyps that have a cancer potential develop is a question that still remains open. As already said there are individuals that inherit these genes and so for them the risk of colon cancer is much higher. And even if polyps do not always become cancerous, the chances of this to happen are increased by the number and size of the colon polyps. So, if you have a polyp sized at about centimeter or less, the chances for it to be cancerous are not very high.

But, if polyps are bigger than one centimeter they will probably become colon cancer. It is best for them to be removed and this can be done through a colonoscopy, there is not need for a surgery. In some cases, if you have a small polyp that has been removed, you have to continue being careful because, in time other polyps can also be formed.

When the polyps are bigger, so is the colon cancer risk and in these cases, regular colonoscopies are a must. About 50 percent of the polyps greater than two centimeters are actually cancerous and become colon cancer. So, the best thing you can do if you have such abnormal growth is to remove them and have checks to be able to find other polyps in time, if they are formed and remove them before they become cancer. When colon cancer is developed, it can be really difficult to treat and many individuals die because of it.