Growths removed from Bush during colon test benign

WASHINGTON, July 23 (Reuters) Five small growths removed from President George W Bush during a routine colon cancer exam were benign but he will be tested again in three years, White House said today.

''The president is in good health, there's no reason for alarm,'' White House spokesman Tony Snow said. Doctors on Saturday removed the small growths, known as polyps, at the Camp David presidential retreat.

Bush, 61, had polyps removed during previous tests in 1998 and 1999 when he was governor of Texas. A colonoscopy performed in 2002 revealed no medical problems.

During the test on Saturday, Bush voluntarily transferred his powers to Vice President Dick Cheney for just over two hours, the third time in US history.

More than 52,000 Americans are expected to die this year from colorectal cancer and more than 153,000 will be diagnosed with the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

REUTERS SY BD2242