Colon cancer may occur in people with colon polyps, a condition that may lead to cancer. To diagnose colon cancer, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy, a procedure that takes a look inside the colon and allows a gastroenterologist to remove colon polyps if present while you are under general anesthesia.

Colon polyps are clumps of cells that form in the lining of the large intestine or rectum. There are several types of polyps. Some of these polyps are benign, or noncancerous, while other types may become malignant over time.