Colon Polyp - about 2 cm - ..

My mother had a lower GI yesterday and they found a polyp about 2cm in length. They told her that it resembled a skin tag and it was probably not cancer, but because of the size she needs to get it removed.

My mother is a cancer phob and of course went online and researched everything she could. Now she is convinced she has colon cancer and is going to die because the polyp is 2 cm.

We know when they take it out they will biopsy it, but are there any doctors or nurses here that can help me alay her fears.? Anyone who has had colon polyps?

Thanks

Keep her off the computer!! People always convince themselves they are dying when they go googling. Really most polyps are benign and she probably has nothing to worry about. Does she have any sympoms other than the polyp?

She needs to have this removed and biopsied immediately. This is one time where her fear may be justified and there is no way to know until she receives the pathology back if this is malignant or not. The doctors do not know and that is why it is being removed and biopsied. Anytime a polyp, nodule, or tumor appears to be 'growing' . . and 2 cm is big enough to see .. than it needs a biopsy before cancer can be ruled out.

Illustration: Stages of Colon Cancer

http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancer.gov/Me...

What you can tell your mother is that at least she is being treated now and everything possible will be done to determine if the polyp is malignant or benign. There is no sense in worrying about this until there is something to worry about. It is still small and whether there is a malignancy or not it will be removed. All cancers are treatable and there are survivors of every stage. If this turns out to be malignant your mother will still be ahead of the game as it is probably in the early stages . . and very treatable.