Well done for your diligence. We have to be our own advocates. Reading around it seems that a regular CEA test is worthwhile as if it increases over time or suddenly then that's an alert. Research has shown that aspirin and omega-3 taken daily reduce the formation of polyps significantly like up to 30+% depending on dose. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31775-6/fulltext
I took colposcopy on 7/8/19, had 4 polyps, the doctor sent 3 samples for biopsy on the large one, 2cm to 3cm..
Back normal,NO CANCER.
They gave me on 7/24/19 for colon EMR . The doctor removed another 3 polyps, two 2mm and one 1 cm. He can not cut
the large one because the polyp not raised up. He viewed and cut deep the polyp and biopsy again,
I don’t know, may be he want to make sure, but he told me , already cancer . Why ? Cancer just look and confirmed .
I am waiting for result and surgery . I hope back also normal . I am scare and nervous . I am 72 years old.
Hi mindi123. I just wanted to see how things are going. I do understand the dilemma of finding adequate, affordable treatment. That's really hard. Where are things at now?
Hello mindi23. I'm stunned at your diagnosis and we are really sorry to read of this. I'm sure you are in shock particularly because you have been so diligent about your health care. You didn't ignore signs and not go to the doctor but were fully on top of investigating any issue that arose and having the proper screenings, etc. So, I'm really sorry that this has happened and now you have this diagnosis. I do want to confirm though that it is indeed malignant as there can be benign masses of this size as well. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/rectal_cancer/article_em.htm#how_do_doctors_determine_rectal_cancer_staging That's an overview of rectal cancer. It's long and you have to keep scrolling.
Have they looked at your lymph nodes as of yet? This is important to staging as well as other organs to see if the cancer has spread there. We will hope with you that this is not the case but it is probably the step you are at now to determine the stage. There is actually several things that go into determining stage https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staged.html
I'm sure your mind is reeling and I just want to encourage you to stay calm and try not to think worst case scenario. Easier said than done, I know. But take it one day at a time. Please let us know how you are doing and we are here to support you.