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What Are The Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?
Question: I am a male 32 years old. I had a colonoscopy done 6 months ago due to fears of colon cancer. It was all clear. No polyps were found and everything looked 100% normal.
The reason I feared colon cancer was that my uncle died from it at age 57. However he's the only family member to have had it. (So no 1st-degree family history).
The colonoscopy was a great relief to me after having had fears about colon cancer for a while - ever since my uncle died in fact.
However in the past week or so I've started worrying again: what if I have developed something new in the past six months?
It leads me to the following question:
a) Is there any risk at all of having developed colon cancer only 6 months after a 100% normal / OK colonoscopy?
b) For how long can I feel safe after a colonoscopy with no findings?
Some places on the web it says that you are clear for at least ten years. But I've also read accounts of people who were diagnosed with cancer only a few years after a clear colonoscopy... The doctor who performed mine said that I could feel safe for at least a year or two.
For now I'm just looking for relief so I can stop worrying about this issue for good - and start thinking about the more positive things in life. So an honest answer from you would be appreciated.
The reason I feared colon cancer was that my uncle died from it at age 57. However he's the only family member to have had it. (So no 1st-degree family history).
The colonoscopy was a great relief to me after having had fears about colon cancer for a while - ever since my uncle died in fact.
However in the past week or so I've started worrying again: what if I have developed something new in the past six months?
It leads me to the following question:
a) Is there any risk at all of having developed colon cancer only 6 months after a 100% normal / OK colonoscopy?
b) For how long can I feel safe after a colonoscopy with no findings?
Some places on the web it says that you are clear for at least ten years. But I've also read accounts of people who were diagnosed with cancer only a few years after a clear colonoscopy... The doctor who performed mine said that I could feel safe for at least a year or two.
For now I'm just looking for relief so I can stop worrying about this issue for good - and start thinking about the more positive things in life. So an honest answer from you would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
You dont have to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Considering your age and fact that colonoscopy found no any polyp, there is no need to do colonoscopy in next 5 years and some guidelines indicate 10 years. Carcinomas almost always develop from polyps and this process lasts for more than 5 years. If there are polyps which are removed then colonoscopy should be performed earlier,but it is not possible that tumor grows within 6 months,much longer period is required for that. So if this colonoscopy was done by experienced operator then you dont have nay reason to be worried and your problems are not tumor related. I am sure that anxiety is your biggest problem, you are healthy and dont be pesimistic since you wont relax ever if you think about cancer risks.
Regards,
You dont have to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Considering your age and fact that colonoscopy found no any polyp, there is no need to do colonoscopy in next 5 years and some guidelines indicate 10 years. Carcinomas almost always develop from polyps and this process lasts for more than 5 years. If there are polyps which are removed then colonoscopy should be performed earlier,but it is not possible that tumor grows within 6 months,much longer period is required for that. So if this colonoscopy was done by experienced operator then you dont have nay reason to be worried and your problems are not tumor related. I am sure that anxiety is your biggest problem, you are healthy and dont be pesimistic since you wont relax ever if you think about cancer risks.
Regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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