Any one concern about colon polyps?

Meow13

I just had another colonoscopy after 5 years. The first one I had 3, 2 were no concern the other was potentially a concern. The second I had a 7mm polyp removed, no cancer come back in 3 years. I guess it is good to get these removed but I worry about invasive procedures and risks. Thankfully I don't think I had any complications but I worry about having these procedures. Anyone else have opinions?

mustlovepoodles

Since I found out that I have the Chek2 gene mutation, which can cause breast and colon cancers and are found in abundance I my family, I no longer dread colonoscopies. My last one was in Feb 2017 and revealed a few polyps. Thankfully, they were benign, but I am glad to have them out before they could cause trouble. I am way less worried about having the procedures than I am about having colon cancer.

wallycat

Sadly, some invasive procedures are unavoidable. They save lives. Worth doing.

Meow13

Well, I guess I will continue to get them, atleast I know the doctor has alot of experience doing them.

Lumpie

Recently had my first one. The "cleanse" was fairly awful but they gave me the drugs and I slept right thru the procedure. It was a relief to get the all-clear on my colon!

robinblessed54

I had a clear one 2 months before BC dx. Come back in 10 years they said. In November 2017, I was having trouble with my IBS C and we did another one. 7-5mm polypwere removed! 0-7 in 3 years! Pre-cancerous, but all removed. I have to go back in 3 years. What if we had waited?

Robin

wallycat

For those who are anguishing over doing the colonoscopy, there are new fecal occult tests that check DNA markers and are much more accurate than the traditional ones from years ago. Colonoscopy is still the gold standard.

bluepearl

Colonoscopies SAVE LIVES. I get one every 5 years and there is always some little polyp hanging in there, and removed. So far, so good. Going for another in a month or two. I like the muffin and juice they give you afterwards. Eating chia seeds keeps the pipes clean too.....my diet is high in fibre.

mustlovepoodles

I agree with you, bluepearl. Colonoscopies do save lives. Colon cancer is slow-growing, generally. Most of us only need the test every 10 years, unless there's a problem. My grandmother had both breast cancer and colon cancer. Thanks to colonoscopy they were able to catch the colon cancer quickly and remove it. In all likelihood, she probably had the same gene mutations that i have, which cause both breast and colon cancer. At any rate, she was thrilled to have the testing. Her parents were not so lucky--they both died of colon cancer.

Gussy

I just had a colonoscopy this mornng and the doc found a "large polyp" which she took part of. I'm one month post-op partial mastectomy and getting ready for radiation. I have no idea how this is all going to work out. The way this came up was through a Cologard test that came back positive. I guess if it turns out to be another cancer I will hope for early stage. I will see the doc next week for the pathology report. Gosh, I was really hoping for a false positive but not to be. As far as I know, I have no family history of either breast or colon cancer but way back then they didn't do colonoscopies. So, who knows. I will question the doc re: gene analysis. Wish me luck.

keepthefaith

I had my first colonoscopy shortly after being DX'd with BC. They removed a few small polyps. I go back every 5 yrs, which will be this Fall. One of those things that we need to take advantage, of as unpleasant as it is.

Gussy, I hope all goes well with your findings.

Meow13

I go every 3 years. Last time they found a 7mm polyp. My doctor removed it with a different method this time. Hope it doesn't come back. It was benign.

bravepoint

My father dies of colon cancer at 46 so I have been going for a colonoscopy every 5 years since my late 30's. I had to delay this time as I was just starting when I was scheduled for the procedure. I went last and a polyp was removed for biopsy. I'm trying to not think the worst but am anxiously awaiting the results.....

I was checked for the Pten mutation which is linked to colon cancer and I don't have it.

Gussy

keepthefaith - thanks for the good wishes. I did dodge that bullet after all - it was a benign polyp. However, it was large enough that she (the GI doc) couldn't get it all without a risk of perforation so will go back for another colonoscopy the end of May after radiation is over to finish it up. I have to admit thsat I was pretty worried as I had had a positive Cologard test so figured the worst. I guess the Cologard test is not so foolproof after all. My primary doc said she hasn't had one of her patients who have done it with either a positive or negative result come up with cancer. And the GI doc said that a good 50% of the patients she's scoped due to a positve test are negative. So, that's the story - even if you have a positve Cologard it doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

pleasantsa

My sisters devastating kidney failure diagnosis prompted me to get my act together and schedule all of my long over due tests. There's no breast cancer in my family so I wasn't worried about the mammogram (ha! Don't worry I now know how ignorant I was). There ARE colon issues in the family and I've had some bowel issues so I'm dreading tomorrow's colonoscopy. Let's hope I just worried about the wrong thing. I'm preparing for my surgery and I can't handle anything else.

ShetlandPony

Two Lynch syndrome genetic mutations associated with colon cancer have recently been recognized to be associated with breast cancer as well. In the past they were not considered breast cancer genes.

"The new study suggests MSH6 and PMS2 should be added to the list of genes to screen for when there is a history of breast cancer," said Dr. Chung, who is also director of the clinical genetics program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia. "Screening for these genes also would give these families potentially life-saving information to prevent colon cancer by encouraging individuals with the genes to increase the frequency of their colonoscopies."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/1801...

ShetlandPony

Pleasantsa, best wishes for an easy procedure tomorrow, and also smooth sailing for your surgery. There are so many benign causes for bowel issues. Likely you will be able to scratch that worry off your list in a couple days. Be good to yourself. One day at a time.

chronicpain

Bravepoint, I hope your bx was benign

Retzie

RobinBlessed54, your story sounds so similar to mine. I had my first colonoscopy in Mar 2017 with 1 polyp removed, benign. BC diagnosed 8 months later and I was told negative on BRCA1,2 but positive for predisposition for colon cancer. I’ve been PET scanned during and after chemo to check for mets but wondering when I should go back for next colonoscopy now that the gene mutation has been found??

Egads007

My last colonoscopy (last September), showed one polyp, removed, benign. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 6 months after finishing BC treatment, so I don’t mind getting the procedure done one bit. I don’t like the procedure mind you lol. My gastro says every 5 years now...I think that’s far too long considering my history and the UC. I’m going to have a conversation with my MO in December to see if the schedule can be changed to a 2-3 year period.

ShetlandPony

In some cases, 2-3 years, rather than 5 or 10 years, will be recommended, as with the mutations I noted above. Talk to your gastroenterologist, your oncologist, and a genetics doc. Try to get an opinion from a specialist in whatever mutation may have been found, for the latest recommendations.