Bowel polyps are small growths on the lining of the bowel wall. They are common, especially as we age. While most bowel polyps do not become cancerous, approximately 5% do. Most polyps can be safely and completely removed during a colonoscopy.
A bowel polyp is a small benign (non-cancerous) growth that looks roughly like a ball on a stalk. They can range in size from 1-2mm to 5cm or more.
Approximately half of all Australians are likely to develop a bowel polyp during their lifetime, but the majority of these remain undetected.
If polyps are left untreated for many years, a small percentage of polyps can develop into bowel cancer.
Although polyps are very common, they rarely produce symptoms and usually are discovered by chance at the time of colonoscopy.
GESA Australia
Cancer council Australia