The Colon Club

Hey everyone!

I was doing some googling and found this site, hoping someone can give me some info

I had a colonoscopy that revealed 6 polyps, 5 were removed and came back as precancerous. The 6th was left there because it was too small to remove?

Wondering if it would be worth getting tested for Lynch Syndrome? My gastro doctor doesn't seem to think so but my family has a lot of cancer history (no one diagnosed with Lynch).

Next colonoscopy is scheduled for a years time, is that risky seeing as he left a polyp in there?

Thanks!

That's very young to be getting your first colonoscopy, and good that you did. Were you having some issues/symptoms that prompted you to get your first scope at 24. I would push for genetic testing. It's unusual for somebody so young to have a polyp, let alone six of them that are pre-cancerous. I think getting another scope in a years time is good, I wouldn't wait any longer for sure!

deb m

I might want one in six months.

My BIL has Lynch syndrome and he has yearly colonoscopies and each one reveals at least a couple polyps that they remove. Being so young I would push for the testing.

Definitely get a comprehensive set of germline genetic tests. Contact a genetic counselor at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

I agree that you should get genetic testing. Good luck!*hugs*

KaelaOne wrote:
Next colonoscopy is scheduled for a years time, is that risky seeing as he left a polyp in there?

Thanks!

I too support getting the genetic testing. Why did the Dr leave a polyp in your body? Based on that alone, I too would want a follow up in 6 months.

Lee

KaelaOne wrote:
Next colonoscopy is scheduled for a years time, is that risky seeing as he left a polyp in there?

Thanks!

I think that the issue of follow-up colonoscopy scheduling is a complicated one, since the decision depends on a number of factors,such as the histological type of polyps found, the shape of the polyps (tubular vs flat),their degree of dysplasia, the adequacy of the patient's prep, etc. The article below can give you an idea of the types of issues that need to be considered when determining the optimal testing interval.

https://gi.org/guideline/guidelines-for-colonoscopy-surveillance-after-screening-and-polypectomy-a-consensus-update-by-the-us-multi-society-task-force-on-colorectal-cancer/

I would definitely do genetic counseling. I wasn't a candidate but did do color.com. For $250 they will test for a number of cancer markers. I spoke to the genetic counselor at the hospital that treated me, and she endorsed color. I had all results sent to her as well. It's very easy to do. I was told my insurance wouldn't pay for genetic testing since I did not have cancer in my family and was 55 yrs old when diagnosed. But I would think at 24 and history of precancerous polyps would qualify you for insurance coverage. I decided to do for my kids. Even though they will be having colonoscopies early because of me, there could be others and the doctor told me if you are positive for a marker insurance will pay for preemptive testing.