30 yrs old, 3 polyps

[Kasonhills11]

Hi everyone. I'm 30 years old, and I've had blood in and mucus in my stool for several years that the doctors always attributed to hemorrhoids.

I recently went to a specialist who did a colonoscopy. He said he found 3 polyps under 10mm in size. They were sent to the pathologist, and I'm still waiting on the results. The doctor only spoke to me for a moment after the procedure and didn't explain much other than to say it didn't look like cancer. The nurse said they could be pre-cancerous? I'm quite nervous about what the results might be. I've read that polyps are very rare in people my age. I don't really know what to think right now. How serious are polyps?

[orcasres]

Sorry you are here at such a young age, but I am very glad you had a colonoscopy. GI docs are pretty good at spotting cancer when they see it in a scope, so his initial assessment is encouraging. I know it is hard, but the best thing now is to wait for the biopsy results to come back and stay away from Dr. Google. Polyps are somewhat rare at your age, but they do happen. Did the doc give you an estimate as to when the results would be back? Let us know how things go.

What these results will probably mean is that you will get scoped pretty regularly from here on. Monitoring is very important. Also there might be some genetic testing recommended especially if there is an CRC history in your family. Lois

[Lisa90]

It's very easy to overthink it, but it's good you're being cautious about it. Really do try to avoid internet diagnoses until you have the biopsy results, though - they only make you paranoid.

It is unusual in younger people, and it seems you acted swiftly to get it seen to. So for now things sound like they're going reasonably well.

Good luck with the wait! Take it one step at a time.

I'll hold thumbs for you

[Pathfindergrl28]

Hi, I'm 35 years old, female. I was having the same symptoms as you, blood and mucous in stool on and off for about a year or two. I went to a GI specialist last year and had a colonoscopy as well. He found that I had one 13 mm tubulovillous adenoma polyp. It is a precancerous type of polyp. Fortunately, I had not developed colon cancer yet, but will now have to have more frequent colonoscopies. He wanted to re-scope me in 3 years, but that made me nervous. I talked him in to doing one in a year, which is coming up soon. I also have an appointment with a colon cancer expert at Cleveland clinic next month. I wanted to talk to her about the type of polyp I had. Apparently, these tubulovillous adenoma polyps are a little more rare in young adults, so I wanted to see how often she felt I should have colonoscopies. More than likely you do not have cancer yet, as others have stated, GI doctors are good at spotting that. However, your path results will tell you more when they come back. They will tell you the type of polyp you had, and whether or not they are cancerous or not. I am learning though polyps in young adults are more rare than in older adults, it is definitely possible to have them. Good luck, and I hope everything comes back normal for you.

[Kasonhills11]

Thanks all for the messages. I was told it could be a week to 10 days to get the pathology report. I just had the colonoscopy on Friday so I guess end of the week or early next week. It's nerve wracking to say the least. I will update once I hear back with the results. Unfortunately my personality is the type to overthink everything, as much as I'm trying to stay calm and wait for the results. I should have stayed away from Google it's just stressed me that much more.

[Pathfindergrl28]

I completely understand your concern.. I myself have medical anxiety (and am ironically a nurse).... I have white coat syndrome as well (BP goes up when I go to the doctor, although I'm learning to control it some better.) I take Vistaril for marked anxiety, and that helps me. When I was waiting for my polyp biopsy results it was very nerve wrecking for me, especially where my doctor said my polyp was an advanced polyp. But it is reassuring that the doctor didn't tell you he saw cancer at that moment. Just try to stay busy through the weeks ahead (that's what I did) watching your favorite shows, reading, gaming, exercising if you're able, etc. until you get the results back. Best wishes!

[cathy123]

So glad you got a colonoscopy and removed the polyps early! I think the Drs generally know what they are looking at so you really shouldn't worry. Just keep getting checked and you should be in good shape.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm glad that you had a colonoscopy. Unfortunately you won't know anything for certain until you get the biopsy results back. Waiting is so stressful.*hugs*

[Nik Colon]

Even if any are precancerous, as long as they were completely removed you will be fine, just more frequent future scopes. If precancerous, most likely in 3 years. If not, probably not for maybe 5 (I believe). My friends hub had 11 polyps, 3 precancerous, biggest was 12mm. He was told 3 years til next colonoscopy. Best wishes

[Kasonhills11]

I really appreciate all of the posts.

It's been more than 3 days since my colonoscopy, (had it Friday morning) and there has been and still is tightness in my abdomen. It's not outright painful but more just tight, kind of firm feeling, uncomfortable, and kind of sore. My bowel movements haven't really normalized yet either and there is also more mucus than normal when I have a bowel movement. Is this something I should be concerned about? Should I contact my doctor? I'm supposed to have a follow up with him next Tuesday.

I've been feeling a lot of anxiety and stress about everything so it may be making things worse.

[Nik Colon]

I really appreciate all of the posts.

It's been more than 3 days since my colonoscopy, (had it Friday morning) and there has been and still is tightness in my abdomen. It's not outright painful but more just tight, kind of firm feeling, uncomfortable, and kind of sore. My bowel movements haven't really normalized yet either and there is also more mucus than normal when I have a bowel movement. Is this something I should be concerned about? Should I contact my doctor? I'm supposed to have a follow up with him next Tuesday.

I've been feeling a lot of anxiety and stress about everything so it may be making things worse.

If you are worried, call your doc and see what they say. That's my suggestion

[ieowi]

My friend had one which wasn't cancerous however the doctor told him we can't guarantee that it won't show up again. I think once you get anything you have to recheck after that just to be in the safe side.

[Sams wife]

I really appreciate all of the posts.

It's been more than 3 days since my colonoscopy, (had it Friday morning) and there has been and still is tightness in my abdomen. It's not outright painful but more just tight, kind of firm feeling, uncomfortable, and kind of sore. My bowel movements haven't really normalized yet either and there is also more mucus than normal when I have a bowel movement. Is this something I should be concerned about? Should I contact my doctor? I'm supposed to have a follow up with him next Tuesday.

I've been feeling a lot of anxiety and stress about everything so it may be making things worse.

A friend had a colonoscopy & said she was uncomfortable. After talking to the nurse, I think they had her lay on her back with knees up. Then move the knees to the left & then the right. Warning, it was all air
Hopefully yours is nothing too.

[Nik Colon]

My friend had one which wasn't cancerous however the doctor told him we can't guarantee that it won't show up again. I think once you get anything you have to recheck after that just to be in the safe side.

Yes, any polyps you do, but length of time between may vary

[elise]

If it helps, my GI doc knew it was cancer when she did my scope :/ But my polyps and tumours were much larger than yours.

I was 30 at the time.

Chin up until you get results.

Elise