Biopsy Results - Should I Be Concerned

J. - had you been having some issues that caused you to get this done? I want to congratulate you for getting yourself tested - early testing and treatment is the KEY. My brother had a polyp in his colon at age 40 - he had it removed and it was fine. I also have had several pap smears with abnormal cells - one was especially abnormal, but then they all ended up being fine. And I've had several breast lumps - all turned out to be nothing.

When will you have your test results? Of course whenever you have a family history of cancer there is more concern, but these days, because people are more aware of these issues and the importance of testing and early detection, they are more likely to find innocuous things as well. Hang in there and let us know about the results.

I had a similar experience 3 years ago and my polyps were benign. If you take proton pump inhibitors that can cause the stomach polyps. Please try not too worry too much while you wait for your results (easier said than done I know). Worrying doesn't change the result and will get you run down in the meantime.

If they didn't find anything on the colonoscopy that seems like a good sign. I also have a high incidence of cancer in my family. My doctor ordered the colonoscopy based on my family history and endoscopy results.

It seems you are aware of your health challenges and are taking charge by having testing. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risks I have control over. I hope everything comes back ok - best wishes for a healthy happy summer.

It's hard not to be concerned,but the importent thing is, you went to have yourself checked.
My mom had colon cancer and could have been fine,when she had her first symptoms,which she ignored.
A polyp takes about 10 years to turn into cancer.I get checked every 5 years for colon cancer,so even if you had something more serious,it may never get a chance to become even more serious,because you get yourself checked.
I wish you the best of luck.

Hi J. Yes you should be very much concerned since cancer seems to run in your family. I'll pray for you that everything turns out okay.

Hi J. - I hope the results are ok! Finding things early, even if not ok is really a good thing.

Either way, you might consider testing for the BRCA gene mutation, given your and your family's history. www.facingourrisk.org is a great site of info. Evanston Hospital (Northshore) has an excellent genetics dept. You can just go for a consult w/o testing.

breast, stomach, ovarian, colon, esophageal & pancreas can all be related to a BRCA gene mutation

http://www.northshore.org/clinicalservices/medicalgenetic...

(I'm BRCA 2+ and had prophylactic double mastectomy and ovaries out due to my risk - all was clean, and my risk is lower than the general population now. Other choose just every 6 month surveillance)

good luck!!!

This advice is easier to give than to follow because I'm a big worrier...but why worry when you don't have any negative results. Just pray for good results and go on with life. Don't waste time fretting when you don't need to. It is counter-productive.

Hi J., I had my entire colon removed about 1.5 years ago and it was not a big deal at all. I have Crohn's and my entire colon was chronically inflamed, and then they found a cancerous polyp, so out it went. I was really upset because I thought I would have to get an ileostomy bag, which is one of those bags on the outside of your body. Well, I didn't - they just connected my small intenstine (my ileum) to my rectum. The surgery itself is still major abominal surgery, but I was out of the hospital in less than a week. My scars healed beautifully (it was part laproscopic, so there wasn't much to heal), and I have even had a baby since then, so really, it's not a huge deal. I do have more bowel movements per day than most people, but it's not such a big deal. So if it does come to that, know that the colon is an organ you can do just fine without!!

R.

Good job you got checked, many people are scared of doing the test and never do it! Any time there is a polyp they should be removing it and testing it no matter what it looks like! Dr's can never be "certain" it's cancer or not based on cells or appearance. So be glad they are sending it out, always request that for every polyp. I have only heard of (in my family)positive cancer results when there are many many polyps, hopefully since you had so few that's a good sign! And getting a positive cancer result doesn't mean loosing your colon and full blown cancer treatment!(I only know about colon cancer, not stomach cancer) They can remove small portions of the colon that are cancerous and you can still live a normal life. Don't let yourself worry until you get bad results, I'm convinced everybody has 2 or 3 polyps in their body and it's no big deal. You got them removed so they "can't" turn into cancer.