Polyps are common so I wouldn't sweat it. That said, you may end up on the frequent flyer plan. But don't lose any sleep over it.

Agree. Just in the past 2 years, we lost a coworker at 43 who had no family history and a few folks in their 50s, where at age 40 I have to think there would at least be polyps and indication that they were higher risk. They should bump down the recommendation down. 50 moving to 45 was a good move, but I think it needs to drop to 40

And don't do Cologuard. Just get the colonoscopy.

I get the fear of needles/going under for those that haven't done it before, but as everyone here says, the prep is truly a million times worse than the procedure. Why risk your life over a needle ***** and a great nap!

I was all clear, no polyps and told to come back in 10 years. I still may do it again in 5. Had one buddy have a couple of large polyps and told to come back in 2 years. I just feel that he may have saved his life by getting it done on time.

Will offer my story in support of being proactive.

I was adopted and have no family history. Family history was not a thing back when I was born in 1970. I had a good friend who had lost both parents in their late 30s/early 40s to colon cancer. He had begun getting colonoscopies very young. My logical mind decided I would rather get checked early and be told there was no concern, come back in 10 or 15 years, than to get checked the first time at 55 and be told "oh crap, you are a dead man walking, too bad you did not get checked earlier." Which kind of seems to be how our system is designed.

With that and as family history became more and more of a thing at doctor visits and various health concerns came up with aging, I asked my PCP about being proactive sometime in my later 30s. He flat out said no, that insurance would not even consider it for my logical reasoning without some notable concern presenting.

I let it go, but did not forget it. A few years later, maybe at 40, I had some discomfort and went to a specialist. The discomfort was not anything earthshattering and the specialist handled it. While there, I asked to the GI doc about my theory. He wholeheartedly agreed and supported my idea. He said that my minor concern would allow him to recommend the colonoscopy and get it covered. So we did.

The initial procedure did find polyps. I honestly don't remember the classification, but the Doc told me it was very good that I underwent the procedure early and had them found and removed. That they classified my as higher risk. From there I settled into a pattern of having a colonoscopy every couple of years. Seems like they always remove something.

The whole experience makes me a big advocate of being proactive. I really believe if I had waited for my first to occur when the insurance companies dictated to maximize their profits, I would probably be dead by now.

The procedure is not that bad. The prep isn't awesome, but is not as bad as everyone acts. Knowledge is power and insurance companies don't give a ***** Follow your instincts and get checked as soon as you can. Sooner if you have any reason to wonder or worry or don't have a family history like me.

Get the colonoscopy. I am 47 and currently undergoing chemo for colorectal cancer after a tumor was found during my first colonoscopy. You could have knocked us over with a feather.

I saw my OB and described some symptoms I had been having, all of which could have been attributed to other stuff. I was kind of "dealing" but at 47 with no family history of non-geriatric cancers I did not think of cancer at all. I thought I had internal hemorrhoids, gut issues, etc etc. OB sent me to a GI and here we are.

All that to say, start getting screened at least at 45!

Not to hijack but to emphasize the importance of follow up. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the end of Covid and underwent the 40+ radiation treatments. According to my doctor surgery was not an option.

Received my hormone shots for 3 years and my PSA levels stayed at 0. Maintained getting PSA test and my levels started going back up which is not normal. Was sent in for a PET test and a cancer spot was detected at my C2 along the upper spine. Just finished 5 radiation treatments and taking NUBEQA along with starting the hormone shots again.

If I haven't continued getting PSA test, don't know what would have happened. Follow up is a must.

Mine is tomorrow. Today isn't the most fun I've ever had.

I get to have an endoscopy with mine since my dad died of eso****eal cancer. I asked the PA to make sure they do the endoscopy first.

spike427 said:

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Oh my goodness, I had no idea!! How are you feeling??

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I'm okay, I have 2 more infusions then 6 weeks radiation/oral chemo. Infusion weeks suck. Shallow but thank God, my hair has thinned but not fallen out.

You told me something a long time ago when you were in the thick of cooking for your son's diet-- It's not hard, it's just work." I want you to know that I have been carrying that mantra.

For us "young" patients they have this concept called Total Neoadjuvant Therapy--so they hit you with this specific series of treatments in the hope to kill the tumor and any lymph node activity. Should be done with this all in April and hope to avoid surgery. CT last week had no signs of metastasis, yay. Oldest graduates HS in May and then if I can avoid/decline surgery am considering a 10-year rerun of the SA marathon in December.

Thanks for asking!

Endoscopy and Colonoscopy went well. Next one in 5 years. Couple of small polyps.

Guitarsoup said:

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Endoscopy and Colonoscopy went well. Next one in 5 years. Couple of small polyps.

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If they used the same scope hope they did the endoscopy first

Stupid joke I said when I got my combo done a few years ago

Just saw you said the same thing further up. Great minds...

2007fightintexasaggie said:

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Cobra - thoughts and prayers to you. Do you mind expanding on some of the symptoms that ultimately forced you in for the procedure?

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So I am 47-the GI doctor thinks the cancer has been growing for about 2 years. I lost my dad in '23 which turned my life upside down, and I was getting back on track with things like mammograms and routine doctor visits in the past year. Colonoscopy was next on my list but I hadn't gotten one yet.

Based on that 2 year estimation, I have been struggling on and off with "hemorrhoids" starting about 2 years ago. They would go away when I treated them, come back if I was not careful with my diet. Made the mistake of trying keto and hoo boy that was bad. Endured family vacation in 2024 summer car/plane rides, then they got better for a little while.

And then in 2025, it got to a point where they were not going away and had CONSTANT pain 24/7 that I still attributed to the hemorrhoids even though they were not particularly large-I had no frame of reference really for what I was experiencing. The pain seemed out of proportion. I have a desk job so had been using a standing desk, took walking breaks, I was/am an avid bike rider and was taking about 6-8 advil per day to reduce the pain to a manageable level. Strangely I felt better after biking??? I was like an alcoholic sneaking how much pain med I was really taking.

I started seeing blood in the toilet in mid 2025 and still thought it was hemorrhoids.
My husband's colonoscopy report (unrelated) showed he had an "internal hemmorhoid" so I was like "OK that must be what is bleeding." The blood started being mucousy and more copious at one point which made me see my ob/gyn's PA for a looksee and referral. I mean this whole time I had no idea what was going on. The pain was awful.

She referred me to a GI who did my colonoscopy the following week and here we are. Again despite all the symptoms I was still shocked.
Literally cancer did not cross my mind because of age and no family history of cancer outside of geriatric age.

Since chemo began, after the first treatment even, ALL my rectal pain has subsided as well as any hemorrhoids, that I can tell. My theory is that the tumor was pushing them out or exacerbating things and it was possibly tumor pain the whole time, if that is a thing.

Navigating this has been a huge eye opener of "the system" and at the end of the day I have so much gratitude for the professionals involved in my care and that of others with much more severe illness. I pray that the chemo and chemo-radiation work because I am terrified of resection surgery with a low tumor. The rad-onc says 30% dont need surgery so fingers crossed.

I hope this encourages anyone who experiences this to get seen!!!

Thanks for sharing! Always good to know what others noticed as signs/symptoms since this is becoming such a significant matter for younger folks.

2007 - good post and I'll add my comments since you seem to want to monitor (and good luck to you Cobra!). I had my experience roughly 10 years ago at age 45/46 (I'm 56 now). I was fit, no known family history, etc., and at that point too young for a colonoscopy anyway as 50 was the approved initial age.

Out of the blue one day I was at the urinal and blood started coming out the backside. A lot of it. At first I thought like an idiot that maybe I ate spicy food, had strained lifting weights or something, whatever. Waited a couple weeks to see if it came back and it did from there on out (spotty at that point, compared to the first "dam break"). Went to doctor, he said it was likely just an internal hemorrhoid, but he recommended a colonoscopy and when he came in with the results and then biopsies to follow it was stage 3 rectal cancer.

I did 9 months of treatment (radiation, surgery, temporary bag, chemo, and then reconnecting all the plumbing) and it has been fine since, albeit a bit of a minor life adjustment from the surgery that I've worked around--another gross subject but important for those who have the surgery.

Bottom line is that I now know multiple people who have had the exact same thing all at or near that mid-40's age. Seems to have really hit our generation for whatever reason, and now they've lowered the age for colonoscopy.

So, just beware of anything "out of the norm". I was very lucky to have the blood as it was obviously a giant red flag. But for that, I assume it would've been discovered too late. The colonoscopy itself is easy and worth the check.