Polyps or hemorrhoid, possibly cancer?

Hi, i'm an 18 years old girl, and i just got diagnosed of polyps on my colon.

I think i have actually noticed that something was not normal with my abdomen since about 2 or 3 years ago, cause i noticed that bright red blood occurs several times when i went to the toilet. but i thought it was okay, so i didnt tell my parents yet. and then about 9 months ago, i told my parents about it and we instantly assumed that it was hemorrhoid (since my father and his siblings have had taken hemorrohoid surgery). but then later on this week, i went to the gynecologist because my period circulation is very rapid, and when the doctor check my rectum with his finger, he told me to go to the surgeon because he's suspicious of the hemorrhoid.

So right after that, I went to my uncle who is a surgeon (he haven’t know about my “hemorrhoid” yet). And then he “slipped in” a tube like sort of thing into my rectum and I don’t know what happened back there but I hear my uncle told my mom and the nurse beside him to look at those little grape like things. Then my uncle said that it wasn’t hemorrhoid but it was polyp. So I have to take surgery, and then after the polyp has lifted, it will be sent into the lab for a test. But my uncle told me that he wants me to go to another surgeon (digestive surgeon to be specific) before operation. And he said that how can you haven’t notice anything about it until today? You should’ve noticed it, since the polyps are not small (he didn’t said that they were big though). And I told him that I noticed the fresh blood and the mucus, but I thought that it was hemorrhoid.

I know that I will get the diagnoses from these doctors, but since I’m just curious and I haven’t made any appointments with another surgeon yet, can you help me with these questions please?
1. Is it possible that my uncle is mistaken? I mean that it really was a hemorrhoid.
2. If it is polyp, can you give a quick diagnose if this polyps are harmless polyps or not (cancer etc)?
3. Is it possible to have a colon cancer at the age of 18?

Hi seeker04,

Aw, I am sorry you are having to deal with this. It can be scary to not know what's wrong with you and to assume the very worst.

I don't have any medical knowledge, but I don't think there are any instant or quick ways to diagnose cancer. I think they normally need to take blood or tissue samples and get them analysed in a lab. In the majority of cases, polyps and growths are benign (non-cancerous).

What is your uncle like to talk to? Can you tell him you're a little worried, and ask him some more questions? He may be able to reassure you. Perhaps he has referred you to a digestive surgeon because he wants you to see a specialist so that you can receive the most professional care and advice.

How long do you have to wait until you can see the digestive surgeon? I think the waiting and the worrying would be the worst part. Hang in there; hopefully it will be an easy problem to treat.

I am sorry you are dealing with this. I am not saying this to you as a professional but I think it is important you follow up on a referral as soon as you can. Whilst it may well be nothing to worry about it is important the Drs rule out anything that is more serious. Please try not to worry but take control and see the Dr. Good luck.

Cracked

what your uncle did is called a colonoscopy. it has a camera on the end of it so the dr can see everything in the colon. i have had many of these. i have had many polyps removed. they usually are not cancerous. none of mine have been. once in a while they are. if they are caught in time, they can be removed and all will be o.k. but do not ignore blood in your stool. why did your uncle not take them out during the colonoscopy? that is how they are normally removed.

How are you seeker? How are things going?

Cracked