If you don't know what a polyp is here is the direct definition: any growth or mass protruding from a mucous membrane. Polyps may be attached to a membrane by a thin stalk (pedunculated polyps), or they may have a broad base (sessile polyps). They are usually an overgrowth of normal tissue, but sometimes they are true tumors (masses of new tissue separate from the supporting membrane). Usually benign, they may lead to complications or eventually become malignant. They can occur wherever there is mucous membrane: in the nose, ears, mouth, lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, urinary bladder, uterus, and cervix.
Now, I am fighting to get it biopsied so I can know if I have cancer. For those of you who are wondering why, here it is. 7 years ago my mother died from Cancer. She didn't have to. My moms cancer was a slow growing one initially. Doctors for over a year misdiagnosed her because I guess they didn't believe a 46 year old woman would have colon cancer. I know, I know it was unfortunate but it was colon cancer. Well, no.
What to expect from your doctor
Some questions your doctor might ask include:...
- Have you been treated for uterine polyps or cervical polyps before?
- Have you had fertility problems? Do you want to become pregnant?
- Does your family have a history of breast, colon or endometrial cancer?
I happen to have all three just on my mothers side and one on my fathers side that we know about. That's a bit scary for me and would be for other people with the same history. Now, that is my family history. Here is my medical history. As you all should know I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 12 and re-diagnosed when I was 21. Pcos increases your chance of: - Diabetes. More than half of women with PCOS will have diabetes or pre-diabetes (glucose intolerance) before the age of 40.4 Learn more about diabetes on our Diabetes page.
- High blood pressure. Women with PCOS are at greater risk of having high blood pressure compared with women of the same age without PCOS. High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Learn more about heart disease and stroke.
- Unhealthy cholesterol. Women with PCOS often have higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. High cholesterol raises your risk for heart disease and stroke.
- Sleep apnea. This is when momentary and repeated stops in breathing interrupt sleep. Many women with PCOS are overweight or obese, which can cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea raises your risk for heart disease and diabetes.
- Depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety are common among women with PCOS.
- Endometrial cancer. Problems with ovulation, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes (all common in women with PCOS) increase the risk of developing cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus or womb).
All of this has my anxiety hitting the roof. My chance of cancer is greater.
It could all be nothing but until I know for sure its scary.
