40 years old - first colonoscopy - 4 polyps removed

All four polyps were less than 1cm and benign.  GI Doc said 3 were tubular adenomas and one was a benign sessile serated polyp - both types possible precursors to cancer.  Wants a follow up scope done in two years.  Can colon cancer develop in 2 years or less?  I'd like to believe if I follow Doctor's screening advice, the worst I will be dealing with are benign polyps.

Any thoughts on this?

[PaulMD]

Hi.

I would agree with your doctor's plan in doing surveillance colonoscopies since you may really have an increased risk of developing colon cancer.  The usual screening recommendation is about 5 years interval, but in your situation, a 2-3 year interval screening is reasonable (considering you have lots of polyps removed).

I would suggest that you ask your doctor about further colon cancer reduction strategies such as the intake of drugs such as aspirin or COX-2 inhibitors which have been shown by studies to reduce the rate of adenoma recurrence and eventually cancer prevention.
A high fiber and low fat and low red meat diet may also be helpful.

Regards and God bless.