Age

• Polyps in your colon may be part of normal aging processes, and are more common in people over age 50.
  
  

Sex

• If you are male, you are more likely to have colon polyps and to be diagnosed and die from cancer of the colon.
  
  

Family History

• If one of your close relatives such as your mom, dad, brother or sister had colon polyps, you are more likely to get them also.
  
  

Intestinal Diseases

• Diseases that cause inflammation in your intestines, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, may cause polyps to grow in your colon.
  
  

Diet

• If your diet is low in fibrous foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, the lack of fiber may cause colon polyps to grow.
  
  

Obesity

• Being obese, especially if you are also inactive, may cause polyps to grow in your colon and increases the chance they will become cancerous.
  
  

Tobacco

• If you smoke tobacco, chemicals in the smoke you inhale may cause the growth of colon polyps and promote their development into colon cancer.