I had a polyp or polyps removed from my colon or rectum when I was about 7, because it or they caused bleeding and the blood showed up in my stools. I'm not sure about the details because I didn't have much of an undestanding about these things at that age of 7 and my parents didn't tell me much about it. So my question is, at the age of 28, is it necessary to get a colonoscopy? Do I have that condition called familial adenomatous polyposis and not even know it? If they told my parents they probably wouldn't have understood what the doctors said because their English sucks. Any help is appreciated. I'm really confused.


thanks

Hi William,

I am 31 and was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, but the doctor didn't find out initially through a colonoscopy. I had pain in my abdomen which led them to find the cancer in my ovaries first. They found out it didn't originate there, so they did a colonoscopy and found out that the cancer originated there. However, I never showed signs of bleeding in my stool. My brother and father have had bleeding, so they have had several colonoscopies where polyps were found and removed. Luckily, they had signs, so they are receiving preventative care (colonoscopies) for cancer. None of their polyps have been cancerous, but they routinely get checked. I think you should get the test done since you have a history of polyps. It's better to keep an eye on the situation, so that if any polyps are found, they can remove them right away. As for FAP, you would have to get a genetic blood test to find out if you carry that gene. It is an expensive test, but you can see if insurance covers it. Your doctor may not see a reason for getting it, but if he/she does, the insurance needs a reason to cover it. I got the test and was surprised that it came out negative, since I have two family members who have had polyps. It's scary to get tests because most of us would probably rather not know if something is wrong, but since you're wondering if you should investigate this, then you should go ahead with it. Good luck and think positive.

Sarah

Sarah, thanks for the response. I found out they took out 3 polyps and the doctor said there is no guarantee that I won't have more in the future. This was back in 1983 when they were removed. I don't know if they knew about FAP back then. It was 21 years ago. I'm just worried because my friend is a doctor and he told me to get health insurance and get it checked out and he is the type that won't say somthing like that unless he seriously thought something of it.

I don't have health insurance, but now I'm just going to get any job just for the health insurance, so I can get the tests that I need, but I'm still willing to pay out of pocket for FAP gene test if I am not covered under the health insurance test. It's going to be a long few months. Weird thing is I was thinking of waiting until 30 years old to get it checked out, but after doing some reading, I know as soon as possible is the best option.

I'm also scared if I do have FAP because I know eventually the colon must be removed and that will severly alter my life. Also the cancer aspect makes me more anxious.

Sarah, my best wishes go out to you and let me know of your status. Thank you again for your kind words.

Hi William,

From what I understood about FAP, it's a test to see if you carry a certain gene that could make you more likely to get cancer. I don't think if you have that gene it means you definitely have cancer. The way that I understood it is that they would find out if you have cancer by doing a colonoscopy to see if you have any polyps. If so, they would remove them to see if they are cancerous. I think the FAP test is done only when other family members have had polyps or cancer. After my diagnosis, they suspected that I might carry this gene because I have two other family members with polyps. The reason for doctors wanting to know if someone carries this gene, is because it is possible to pass it on to children. They told me that if it came out positive, then they would want to test my brother so that he would know before having kids. Unfortunately, my cancer spread to my ovaries, so I won't be able to have children. I'm having a really hard time getting over that. I hope this makes sense. I was pretty confused when this topic was being discussed. I hope I'm explaining it right. Did your doctor friend tell you that your colon would be removed? A lot of times the doc will remove a portion of it, which is what they did to me. I still go to the bathroom the same way. I just have a shorter colon. Anyways, try not to get ahead of things. It definitely is a good idea to get insurance as soon as you can so you can check things out. You asked what my status is. You can read my post that's near your's from Sarahtp2003.

Let me know how things go.

Yes, he told me that they either remove a part of your colon, most of it, or all of it. One of the nurse's husband that he knows had most of his colon removed at the age of 35 or so. He was diagnosed with FAP at the age of 15.

I'm definitely going to have a colonscopy done as soon as possible and the FAP test if the GI Specialist thinks that I need it.

Thanks again for your responses