Question: JUst had a colonoscopy. The doctor said there was a polyp, but that it sort of "flied away". Said nothing to worry about since I will pass it. He then recommended that I come back for a follow up additional colonoscopy one year from now. I am 54 years old. My question is, how would he know if that polyp is or is not cancerous since he won't be able to biopsy it.

Thanks for your reply. He said the polyp was small. He also said he removed it but couldn't retrieve it, and that it would probably pass through my bowel movements.

In response to your other question, no doctor ordered or recommended to me to take a colonoscopy. I chose to go for the Colonoscopy because I, along with other members of my family have had Irritable Bowel Syndrome for many years, and because my mother died of Colon Cancer at 63 and her only sibling, her brother, also died of Colon cancer at 80.

Over the past 3 or 4 months or so it has frequently been particularly difficult for me to move my bowels in full without taking a laxative. Most movements days involve multiple partial movements and take me over an hour to completely empty out. When I don't move completely, in an effort to try to get to work on time I end up with bleeding hemorrhoid problems.

As a result of all of that, I have begun taking fiber supplements about a month ago. I introduced it slowly at first (approx. 6 grams of dietary fiber per day) and built it up to the point where I am now taking approximately 20 grams of dietary fiber supplements per day, which as you know, is a lot. I am not sure if it is actually helping or hurting. At the best, it is certainly inconsistent.

My concern is that my doctor has told me I should take another colonoscopy in one year. Is this because he is concerned about the possible content of that lost polyp, but doesn't want to alarm me? One year is a very short time interval. When I pointed that out to him he said that after that next colonoscopy I can change to a 3 year cycle. My previous colonoscopy was approx. 9 years ago.

Finally, pursuant to your last request, I don't have any of the records yet. Can you please let me know what I should ask him for specifically?

Thank you.