Colorectal Cancer

[George7]

I am a healthy 18 year old male. I do not drink, smoke, or use drugs, and I exercise and diet. A year ago I had some bright red blood in my stool. It went away, but left me a little concerned. My Aunt had developed colon cancer in her early thirties. However, no one else in my family has had any colon problems, and cancer in my family is rare. Because of my aunt and the bleeding, my doctor decided to give me a colonoscopy, but said I had nothing to worry about.

Today I did the procedure. The doctor found 7 small polyps. He removed them and sent them in for testing. I am very scared and I don't know what to do. He said he is surprised to find that I had polyps, but he does not think they are cancerous.

I am very scared and not quite sure what to think. I won't get the test results back for 7 to 10 days. I found out about the different types of polyps and their potential for cancer. I'm worried about what is going to happen to me. Does anyone know how serious this is? Why would I develop so many polyps at a young age if it wasn't serious? Please help I'm very worried.

[johnj]

dont worry until you get your results keep a positive mind .it may be just your diet your still young im in my 40s and just had mine done in aug my came out good when we hear they removed a polpy we think we have cancer we allhave the same fear so keep a good thought and i hope all will go well for you please post so we will know how you did

[George7]

Thanks for the support John. I got my results yesterday and they said the polyps were benign. This is what I wanted to hear and it's a big relief. I will just have to keep an eye on my colon I guess.

[johnj]

what great news to hear just follow up with your doc and you will be fine what a way to start your new year with relief .

[RobertW900]

George,

I got my colonoscopy a few months ago and they had to remove a few polyps on me, too. I went to the doctor because I have bad heart burn and I wanted to know why. When I was talking to him, he asked if I ever had bright red blood in my stool, and years ago I did. I used to eat a lot of pop corn(I was addicted to it!) and I often bled from my butt. I assumed it was just the kernels cutting me when they came out. When I stopped eating pop corn, the bleeding stopped, too. I didn't think anything of it, and when I told my doctor he insisted on giving me the colonoscopy and endoscopy.

It turns out I have ulcers, but I'm cancer free. My doctor said I might need to have a new colonoscopy every two years now, but he doesn't think I have anything to worry about. I've been reading online how fast colon cancer can develop and spread, so just to be safe I've been using over the counter at home Fecal Occult Blood tests. I would recommend them to anyone who is nervous or scared about colon cancer. I don't know what I'd do without them. I've tried a couple different ones, but the one I'm using now I found online. I don't want to break forum rules so if anyone wants more info, please PM!

Anyway, the home tests give me peace of mind, and I've given a couple to friends and I make my fiancee take them, too. You get two tests when you order, which is cool because I take them whenever I start to get nervous or whatever. So far, I haven't had any more blood and I've been keeping away from the pop corn so all is good on my end. I'm really glad everything turned out the same on your end, and I really recommend the home tests to keep an eye on your colon, like I do mine! (That sounds sooo weird lol!)

[RobertW900]

Seems I can't edit my post or send PMs, so... check out colonhealthcheck.com, if you're concerned about checking the health of your colon on a regular basis.