I had a colonoscopy two years ago after seeing blood in my stool a number of times. Had a large (1cm) polyp removed - diagnois was a tubular adenoma. Pathology showed precancer/dysplasia. I was told I was very lucky to have caught this so early - at the time I was 46.
Last fall my blood test showed that I was slightly anemic. My internist (first and propably last time I will see her) actually said, "well gee, you could have colon cancer!" I'm having a colonoscopy next week.
I've not seen any blood in the stool. Interestingly, I had a blood test a week ago with my gynecologist and although the values were nearly identifical (though they did not check the iron value) she didn't think I was anemic at all although the blood test itself when I looked at it did say "slight hyposchromasia" with an increased platelet count.
In surfing the net, I can't really get a good indication of whether a non-cancerous polyp can cause enough bleeding to cause anemia. Everything I've read also says cancer takes a long time to grow. It's only been just shy of two years since the first colonoscopy. Are polyps/cancers missed?
I know I will probably have answers next week, but the more I look on the net, the more frightened I become. (I know I should stay off the net but I just can't seem to.)
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.