Colonoscopy found polyps

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Legomaster225
Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
edited August 2018 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

Hi all,

I had a colonoscopy today. I was supposed to have one the month I got diagnosed ( I was 50) but put that on hold during treatment. Anyway, she found and removed 3 polyps. The largest being 12mm. At first I wasn’t too concerned thinking that many people have polyps and its good that they were removed. Now that I’m coherent I’m worrying that maybe my bc metastasized to my colon. I hope they do the biopsy really carefully. Anyone have a similar experience? I’m so done with this cancer thing.

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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited July 2018

    Hi Legomaster225,

    So sorry to hear about your colonoscopy report. It is stressful! I started colonoscopies early due to family history. Every three years. First one clear. Second one had one large polyp. Next one 5 small polyps. Got BC age 51. Had colonoscopy last month. 15 polyps, 4 were precancerous. Total bummer. Found out pre colonoscopy this year that I have the ATM gene mutation which puts one at higher risk for both breast and colon cancer. I have now been promoted to annual colonoscopies. Hoping I stay ahead of trouble by cutting them out before they turn into cancer. But, for me this has nothing to do with breast cancer metastasis, it's just bad genes

    Sending good karma your way

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited July 2018

    Thanks SimoneRC. I’m hoping the biopsy report come back benign but I can feel my anxiety ramping up. I’m sorry you have to go through all that. I agree that staying ahead of it is the best we can do. Genetic testing is both a blessing and a curse. Wishing you the best!!

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  • oxygen18
    oxygen18 Member Posts: 164
    edited July 2018

    Legomaster,

    In case it's a bit of reassurance, I asked my gastroenterologist this very question: if you were to find polyps or cancer, how likely is it that it is secondary to BC? He said it's very unlikely. I also asked if the answer to the question varies by her2 or hormone status, and he said no.

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited July 2018
    Thanks Oxygen18. I’m certainly not trying to borrow trouble and my doctor didn’t seem overly alarmed but it’s hard not to assume the worst. Good to hear your doctors comments. Hopefully the pathology reports come back soon and the news is good. If not, I’ll deal with it.
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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited July 2018

    Thanks Oxygen18. I'm certainly not trying to borrow trouble and my doctor didn't seem overly alarmed but it's hard not to assume the worst. Good to hear your doctors comments. Hopefully the pathology reports come back soon and the news is good. If not, I'll deal with it.

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited July 2018

    Hi Lego -

    Yes they found a polypoid lesion in my colon back in April. I am 48- 47 at diganosis, and when I went for my second and third opinions both facilities recommended I do a colonoscopy. So I waited while I did surgery after surgery for BC and then cervical cancer, almost year later in April did the colonoscopy. My gastro is a BC survivor and she told me to remain calm and carry on...so I did. She sent it out to 3 separate labs for different tests to make sure it wasn't cancer and it wasn't, but she did not remove it either. Fast forward to my oncology appt in June and she said - "No your plan with your gastro isn't good enough. Go back and actually have a conversation about the colon, and what is in there." So I have an appt Aug 15th. My onc said it would be rare to happen, but not impossible. When my gastro found the lesion...I literally shut down and just kind of said, "are you kidding me???" So when I got the path results, my gastro left a 3min message on my cell and I was like "ok she said benign, shut that message off and keep moving." But now I have to go back and actually figure it out, and see what the best plan actually is and what the risks are with this...


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  • oxygen18
    oxygen18 Member Posts: 164
    edited July 2018

    I just want to add something else my experienced gastroenterologist said.

    He said BC survivors are at increased risk of colon cancer, but that's primary, not secondary cancer. So I would guess, Peacetoall, that leaving a polyp in, even if seemingly benign, is perhaps making the MO uncomfortable, but I would not infer that the MO is looking for metastasis from BC, It's likely just concern about a primary cancer.

    I hope everyone gets good news!


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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited July 2018

    I was DX in 2011 with IDC, Stage 1b, Grade 1. I had a lumpectomy followed by 33 radiation treatments and 5 years on Tamoxifen.

    During that time I had a colonoscopy at the onset and a second one several years ago because my gastroenterologist found polyps. He wasn’t overly alarmed either. Fast forwarding to my most recent colonoscopy the polyps are gone so I don’t have to have another one for 10 years.

    It’s perfectly understandable that we as BC survivors are on alert for anything that might remotely suggest a recurrence but I think because polyps are common it’s probably not a cause for concern.

    Good luck!

    Diane

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  • bravepoint
    bravepoint Member Posts: 404
    edited July 2018

    I have a family history os have been going for colonoscopies every 5 years since I was 40. I'm 55 now. I also had to put my last one 18 months due to surgery, chemo and rads. when I finally did go, they removed a large polyp. I was very nervous waiting for the results but it came back benign. Five years til me next one. Hope you get good news too!!

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited July 2018

    Thank you Gail and Diane. I hope for the best. I’m glad yours came back benign. That is a beautiful word I don’t mind the more frequent testing if it keeps everything in check.
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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited August 2018

    I have strong family history of both breast cancer and colon cancer, both sides. I had genetic testing which found PALB2 and Chek2 mutations, both of which cause breast cancer and colon cancer, and other cancers that are represented in my family tree.Foo!

    Now i have colonoscopy every 4-5 years. My last one in 2017 revealed a bunch of small polyps. Thankfully, benign, but it was a bit scary. For some reason i not terribly afraid of breast cancer, but colon cancer scares the snot out of me. Maybe because i watched my grandmother sail through BC, only to be cut down 12 years later by an aggressive colon cancer. The one consolation was that the colon cancer was not caused by BC metastasis. Grandma prolly had the same gene mutations i have, just judging from HER family history.

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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited August 2018

    Hello Legomaster,

    I hear your concerns. 

    Please note that the most common places for breast cancer to spread to are the lymph nodes, liver, lungs, bones, and brain. So it is unlikely that your breast cancer has metastasize to your colon. 

    There are many genes (29+) that are linked to breast cancer. Of those genes, about 14 are also linked to increase risk of colon cancer. But that colon cancer would be a new primary, not a met of bc. 

    Your surgeon found in your colon what many surgeons find in many colons in people 50+: various polyps. Yep, we're of an age where our colons are making polyps. Most are benign, some are pre-cancerous, and some are cancer. Colon cancer is very treatable in the early stages, which is why we are all getting our colonoscopies at age 50. 

    My surgeon found one pre-cancerous polyp. I'm on the 3-year recall plan. Yippee!! 

    Here's more information on colorectal cancer and recommended screenings. 

    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html

    I'm sure they will do a thorough biopsy of the polyp. You can ask your surgeon all your questions once the results are back. 

    All best wishes,

    Madelyn / Mominator 

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2018

    Thank you Madelyn. I truly appreciate the explanation, support and the link. I did have genetic testing when I was first diagnosed with BC. Nothing unusual was found so that is good. I don’t recall how many genes were tested maybe 30 or so?? It's just hard not to let your mind go to the worst scenario when they find something. Hopefully biopsy results will be in soon. I realize it is a common finding, I would just rather not have anything extra growing in my body anymore. Lol. My doctor did say she wanted me back in 3 years assuming the biopsy results are good. I like the extra monitoring so I'm good with that.

    I’m glad you had yours taken care of as well. Guess we just need to stay vigilant. Thank you again forthe encouragement.

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  • footprintsangel
    footprintsangel Member Posts: 43,890
    edited August 2018

    I had colon cancer and had surgery, and took part of my colon out.

    a lot of people have polyps and its good to check them. I didn't need

    chemo, I was lucky. You are in my prayers, I know with Your loving

    heart, You can get through. Please take care, I am waiting for a biopsy

    and am trying to stay positive.  Praying for You to get good news. Debbie

     

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2018

    I just opened my pathology results. Polyps are all adenomatous benign growths. Whoo hoo. I was terrified to open the online report on a Sunday but couldn’t wait. Felt relief when I didn’t see ALERT...ALERT...ALERT across the top of the page like all my breast path reports. Thanks for easing my mind this week and for the support.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited August 2018

    Legomaster— woot woot!! Congrats on benign results!!!

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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited August 2018

    GREAT news!!!

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  • Ashweb901
    Ashweb901 Member Posts: 67
    edited August 2018

    wow! I'm due this month (age 49 and 7 mos) and I'm on a 3-yr rotation due to polys removed August 2015 that were adenomatous. Benign but if left alone can become cancer. Very likely that's what yours are. And likely you'll have another scope in 3 years instead of 10 like everyone else. It's so they can remove them before they become cancer.


    I can't get my scope til after my BMx (sounds like a bike!) August 20.

    Keep us posted!


    Ashey

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  • sweetp6217
    sweetp6217 Member Posts: 365
    edited August 2018

    Sorry to chime in so late, Legomaster. I'm so glad that your results are benign; what a relief it must be! Gratz!

    I had my 3rd colonoscopy yesterday and they told me very little (polyp found). I was too sleepy to ask the size, location and appearance, etc. But I sent a message to them that won't be seen until at least Monday the 13th. Family history of colon cancer and numerous polyps so they started me at 45. The first two colonoscopies were clear. I was a year late for this one because of last year's BC, chemo, lumpectomy, rads, etc. So I finally got the permission to go ahead. Now, the wait...they say 10 days to 2 weeks. In two weeks, the port comes out.

    P.S. I really don't want to go through that big jug business again. Before I went in yesterday, I told my hubby, "this will be my last one"

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited August 2018

    I had one 7mm, so I go back in 3 years

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2018

    Hang in there sweetp.Waiting is hard. I was able to see my results online in 5 days. Once I knew they were there I HAD to open them. My polyps were 12, 9 and 6mm but they are benign and gone so that is the good part. Why does my body insist on growing extra cells? Polyps or BC?!? Praying for benign results for you also.

    I used Smart Water to mix the Miralax in. I do not like Gatorade at all. The thought if drinking 64 oz. would have made me puke. Smart water worked great and still has the electrolytes that the GI doctor wanted. She said I could use Pedialyte too but that is just like watered down Gatorade to me. I'd rather go with the no flavor water. Maybe you can use it next time too.

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  • sweetp6217
    sweetp6217 Member Posts: 365
    edited August 2018

    Thank you gals. Last night, I got a text that test results were ready... was for the blood work... surprisingly normal for the first time since my hysterectomy.

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  • sweetp6217
    sweetp6217 Member Posts: 365
    edited August 2018

    Well, now that I forced the information out of the clinical staff, I believe that I have little to nothing to worry about. I had an understandable case of hemorrhoids as a result of the colon prep and that's where they took the tiniest of samples. Guess I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. Once the so-called pathology comes back, I may have some choice words with them.

    Update: They actually removed a couple of pre-cancerous polyps. I go back in 5 years. And Lego, I'll be trying your cocktail next time, thank you!

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