Hello,
I found your very helpful site and need some input. My 22 y.o. daughter is scheduled for a colonoscopy on 1/15 to try and determine the cause of some slight bleeding and persistent, bothersome lower left abdominal pain. The pain has been there, to one degree or another, for months, and she has already had a couple of ultrasounds to rule out an ovarian cyst; nothing unusual noted. She has had a history of extreme lactose intolerance, IBS, GERD, hiatal hernia and has had an abdominal CT scan within the last 4 months. CT showed nothing remarkable and the other things are under control with meds.
This is not her first colonoscopy - she had one three years ago when she had some slight rectal bleeding; only hemorrhoids noted. Her gastroenterologist said, following an exam and occult blood test yesterday, that this bleeding is "too high up" to be hemorrhoids. I am very worried, and wonder what the chances might be for colon cancer to have developed in the 3 years since the first colonoscopy? Her Dr. has mentioned colitis and diverticulitis (I have divert.) but my mind has jumped ahead to cancer, being a mother. She has had no fever, and (for her) very little diarrhea. I have had a couple of early polyps removed (in my 40s) and am checked regularly (none last time.)
(If the colonoscopy is inconclusive re: the pain, I think we will pursue the ovarian cyst theory further; I know that fluid-filled cysts are sometimes not found unless laparascopic surgery is done.)
Any insight, experience will be welcomed.
Many thanks.
Marie (worried mom)