age 37 with 5mm adenoma in colon

I am new at this and I have a question. I am a 37 female that is not overweight, eats healthy gets plenty of exercise and has never smoked or drank. Recently, I had a colonoscopy because of rectal bleeding. I had an internal hemmrhoid but was advised to have the colonoscopy because my paternal grandmother died of colon cancer years ago. They found a 5mm adenomous type polyp and said I need to be rececked in 3 years. My questions are: aren't I too young for this type of precancerous polyp given I eat healthy, not obese, etc and my second question and probably most important is that 6 years ago I had a colonoscopy (rectal bleedng) and it was clear. Did this 5 mm polyp grow in just 6 years? I am trying to be positive but, I fee I am the only person this young. Doctor said that it is not common at all to be undr 50 with an adenomous polyp. I feel so alone.

[jdwithhcv]

You have family history of colon cancer, which means you may be at increased risk regardless of your age.  You are not alone.  I had rectal bleeding in my mid 40s and it turned out to be cancer.  I too have a family history of colorectal cancer.  I was not overweight, I ate a healthy diet and got regular exercise.  

How old was your grandmother when she was diagnosed?  As a rule, you should begin testing when you are 10 years younger than the age at which your relative was diagnosed.  In my case, my dad died at age 50, and his cancer was found postmortem.  I should have been tested from the age of 40.  I had my first test at age 46, and by then I already had a stage 3 tumor.

The more we learn about colorectal cancer, the more evident it becomes that education and screening are key.

Keep getting tests, and be sure your children are tested early.  Colon cancer is preventable with early screening, and very treatable with early detection.  Good luck.

[wen1271]

Thank you for respondig. My grandmother was 68 when she passed away back in 1990. Not sure what all was available then. I just know that in 1985 she had colon cancer just like Ronald Regan. I remember my parents noting that. She had chemo and apparently the doctor wasn't giving enough of chemo and cancer returned four years later and it was too late. So, my guess is she was 63 or so. I guess it was already cancer when they found out but it did go away and returned?
I was 30 when I had the first colonoscopy and it was clear and at 37 they found the 5 mm adenoma. Will I get cancer? I don't understand how this works really. I had some bleeding and was told it was a hemmhroid but primary doctor insisted I still go to gastro which I did and he did the colonoscopy this time. Did it grow in those 6 years? He told me that it is rare for a 37 year old to have an adenoma but said not to worry. He was kind of rushing me off too so a lot of my questions were unanswered? Thank you so much for responding. Also my dad (it was his mom who died) has never been tested and he is 68. I am trying to talk him into it. Thanks again. I hope you are ok.

[jdwithhcv]

THanks, I am well.  Last week I celebrated 5 years cancer free!

With regular colonoscopy your doctor should be able to stay on top of any polyps, or other suspicious tissues.  Colon cancer responds well to treatment, and early detection is important so keep up on having exams.  

Too bad you feel rushed by your doctor.  Its important to get answers to your questions, so make an appointment to discuss your concerns.  You can also get good information from the colon cancer alliance (cca.org) and the Lance Armstrong foundation (livestrong.org).  Keep asking questions.  Knowledge is what will save us.

I hope your dad will agree to be screened.  Good luck to you both.

jd

[wen1271]

Thank you so much for all your help and useful information. I forgot to ask, and it seems like you know quite a bit, about the fact that my 5mm polyp was sessile. Is that a more difficult kind of polyp to have had? My doctor said that he did not know until the pathologist report that it was an adenoma and a tubular kind. It just seems like it would be harder to get rid of (sessile kind) and easier to spread because it lies flat on the colon. Should I be concerned about that. I can only assume that he got it all. He said come back in 3 years. He didn't say anything about checking on it or anything. P.s. I am working on my dad and praying for everyone. So glad that you are 5 years cancer free. Awesome!

[kitty51]

I have a colonoscopy ever 5 years as recommended by the specialist as my grandmother has colon cancer but was lucky enough that that removed it all and died of old age.My mother wasnt so lucky she had a colonoscopy and had a third of her colon removed but is stage 4 cancer and its spread to her liver and lungs and and been given about 3 months to live.I have a colonoscopy every 5 years just to be safe its painless and sleep through the whole thing that takes about 10 minutes. I am so sad that my mother didnt do the same,but she had had enough of surgeries and proceedures.

[B_Shel20]

Most colon cancers take about 10 years to delevop, so 6 years for a polyp is about right. It is good that you got in early(Before 50) and had that discovered. The doctor will let you know after the pathology reports come back how you will handle getting colonoscopies done in the future(How often,etc) But the great news is, is that your on top of it, so even if you have to go in once every five years and have a polyp removed, you will remain cancer free. Colon cancer can be 100% preventable if you are getting colonoscopies regular, so stay on top of this as your GI recommends and you'll be fine.