Hi Tracey37, I too have been experiencing a strange burning sensation in my stomach for a few months. I also have back ache in different areas of my back and have had diarrhoea every morning for the past two weeks. I had an ultrasound which also showed I had a 5mm polyp on my gallbladder. I’m due to have colonoscopy on 30th July. I’m also slightly anemic. I am absolutely terrified that I have cancer, I have two children and have convinced myself that I’m going to die. I totally understand how you feel. It’s the waiting that’s the worst isn’t it. I feel like I’m going out of my mind with worry. X

Hi Tracey,

I'm Rich, I'm an experienced Endoscopy Nurse so I thought I'd jump in and try to help. I've included links as i've gone along.

Regarding your bowel cancer symptoms: abdominal pain and a change to your bowel habit can certainly be caused by IBS. There are also some causes of blood in your stool that are not related to cancer.

Your gall bladder polyp: There is information here about gallbladder cancer and polyps. Your Doctor should discuss with you whether he/she thinks your polyp requires treatment.

Your colonic polyps and FAP: FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis) is a genetic condintion that causes very large numbers (hundereds) of adenomas (a type of polyp that has the potential to become cancerous) to develop in the bowel. Some people unfortunately just grow lots of polyps but don't necessarilary have FAP.

Hyperplastic polyps are basically extra bits of healthy bowel tissue and will cause you no harm. This is why there are left alone and sessile simply means that a polyp is flat.

The Endoscopist who performed your colonoscopy would very likely have told you if they were concerned that you had cancer, which is promising.

Now that your polyps have been removed they will go to the labs to be examined under a microscope and your Doctor will be told exactly what type of polyp they are. Depending on the results, they may ask you to return for screening - but this is nothing to worry about, it's usual practice after certain types of polyp have been found.

Your stomach issues: A burning pain in your stomach can be a symptom of gastritis, inflammation inside your stomach. Among other things, this can be caused by stress. If this is concerning you, you can see your GP.

I can really understand how worried you must be while you're waiting for you results and hopefully the above has helped a little. I would advise not to google anything because cancer always pops up right at the top. 

Try to distract yourself, keep busy, take your kids out and remember that no new is generally good new.

Best wishes, 

Rich

Hi Tracy,

Just stumbled on your post. I hope things have gone better since your post,I have been told today by GP i have a Polyps on my Gallbladder. (2mm or 2.5mm).

Any update your situation?

Rich, that was a very helpful reply, I hope the OP found it useful too. I have a vast experience of endoscopies as I have FAP diagnosed 20 years ago. I’m sure the OP is worried at having numerous polyps however I’d like to try to put her mind at rest that she likely does not have FAP. By the time my colon was surgically removed the pathology/ histology showed in had in excess of 300 polyps. Also there is a very strong family link between FAP and various cancer though bowel/ colon is most common. My mother died of colon cancer aged 58 and my brother also has FAP as does my daughter. 

Good luck