Looking for Hopeful Stories – Found a Mass in Sigmoid Colon

@nico25 - I hear how overwhelming and scary this is for you, especially after being so proactive with your health. Facing a diagnosis like this at 39, after clear colonoscopies and major surgery, feels unfair and disorienting. Your anxiety is valid, and it’s okay to feel unsteady while waiting for answers. Let’s focus on grounding you with hope and perspective, drawing from your resilience and others’ experiences.
You’ve already shown incredible strength—managing gastric bypass, tackling anemia with infusions, and staying vigilant about symptoms. That proactive spirit is a powerful asset as you navigate this. Many people with colorectal issues, even serious ones, have hopeful outcomes thanks to early detection and modern treatments. For example, a woman in her late 30s shared on a health forum how a sigmoid colon mass, found during a routine scope, turned out to be a stage 1 cancer. Surgery removed it, and five years later, she’s thriving, with no recurrence. Another person, diagnosed at 40 after rectal bleeding, had a benign polyp removed and needed only monitoring.
While waiting for pathology, try small, calming actions: deep breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6), journaling fears to release them, or connecting with a trusted friend. Your hematologist’s referral was swift, and the biopsy will clarify next steps. Medicine has advanced far—surgical techniques and therapies are more precise than ever. You’re not alone; others have walked this path and found light at the end. Do you have a referral to a gastroenterologist? Keep us posted, please let us know what pathology found, and lean on this community for support.

The only thing I will say is you ready heard lie #1- ignore the bleeding; most likely you will hear lie #2- these are slow growing tumors so do not worry; no reason to rush. Time is of the essence and any delay can be devastating so be proactive and get your diagnosis and treatments done as quickly as possible. The tumor is growing as we speak and is perforating and spreading to your lymph nodes. Especially since you had the anemia, I got down to about three (and started passing out) in less than a month before working on my rectal cancer became a priority.
And don’t worry, even if you make it; the insurance companies will screw you up the butt anyway.
Good luck.

@nico25
I’m sorry to hear of this. It must be scary. Do you have a family/friend support system to help you through this journey? Hopefully you will find out quickly what it is and if cancerous, what stage. You will then need to find out what your options are for removal of the growth and treatments post removal.

Make sure to check with your insurance what is needed for prior authorization for surgery and post surgical treatments to ensure your procedures are covered.

If you are male, they should have immediately checked for the source of internal bleeding causing your anemia rather than just treating it with supplements/infusions. Someone as young as you should not have excessive bleeding, especially since you are not menstruating monthly.

Do you have a family history of colon cancer and is that why you had colonoscopies before the age typically recommended? You mention you had one around age 31-32. Did you have the 1st one in your 20s? What symptoms did you have that caused you to get them done so young?

I have read that gastric bypass may increase colon cancer risk. Were you ever told this before having the surgery?

The best you can do is get diagnosed and treated by the best doctors and surgeons as possible. Do your research. Ask others for help. Get a counselor to help you manage fear/anxiety and strengthen your coping skills. If you are struggling with anxiety/depression, talk to your doctor about medication to help you through this difficult time.

Prayer is helpful. Ask others to pray for you to get the best care and to have peace, strength and courage during this journey. Cherish every moment you have and don’t let fear steal all your hope and joy.

1. https://www.gastroenterologyadvisor.com/news/bariatric-surgery-may-be-associated-with-a-higher-risk-for-colon-cancer/
2. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/does-bariatric-surgery-increase-or-decrease-cancer-risk-it-2024a10003py
3. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-we-know-about-bariatric-surgery-and-how-it-can-impact-cancer-risk
4. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/colorectal-cancer-in-young-people
5. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/why-are-more-young-adults-getting-colorectal-cancer-what-to-know.h00-159385890.html
6. https://utswmed.org/medblog/early-onset-colorectal-cancer-clinic/
7. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/colon-cancer-in-young-adults
8. https://cancerblog.mayoclinic.org/2024/04/17/warning-signs-of-colorectal-cancer-in-younger-adults/
9. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353669
10. https://www.bmc.org/news/colorectal-cancer-rising-younger-adults-know-signs-and-get-screened

I’m female. My first colonoscopy was when I was 31 or 32 because I was having blood, they basically just found hemorrhoids. No history of cancer in my family. Insurance is another issue also, because we are self-employed and we just started in January with OneShare cost sharing. So far, they keep denying everything as pre-existing condition. So, I’m also trying to figure out what other option I have, if I can get some other health insurance.

My colorectal cancer was fortuitously discovered during a digital rectal exam at age 41. After resection surgery and radiation, I am entering my 40th year of successful recovery. I follow this Connect line because I am still dealing with post surgical bowel control issues, but making progress.

Sounds like to you taking all necessary steps to address your finding. Look forward to more posts as you progress.

I have ulcerative colitis and need a colonoscopy each year. I had one in January 2018, and then had to delay my next one until April 11, 2019. When I did the prep for that scope, I had a very difficult time. The prep was not working and eventually I started throwing it up. I knew I wasn’t very well cleaned out and told my GI. When they started the scope, they had to stop very quickly as there was a large tumor in my sigmoid, partially obstructing it. They couldn’t get the scope through. I then had a CT which suggested possible metastasis into lymph nodes. The tumor had caused a balloon type effect in my colon. My doc was surprised to see the tumor as the prior scope was fine. It grew very fast. I had no bleeding, but had back pain and was constipated and had diarrhea. I had lost a lot of weight and was very tired and anemic.
I had surgery on May 6, 2019 and they removed the tumor and some other things including 36 lymph nodes. They got clear margins I was diagnosed as stage 2 A. I did a few rounds of chemo but had to stop. I have had colonoscopies every year and CT. Praise God no recurrence. Prayer chains were started for me, and even though CT suggested more, it had not spread. Be vigilant about pursing and find the best Colo rectal surgeon you can

Thank you for this message ❤️
Seriously, it was a nice message to help calm me. I truly appreciate it.

I appreciate all of you taking the time to respond to my message. I will keep you posted! I hope others will continue to share hopeful stories, it truly does help me to read real stories.

DO NOT take no for an answer I am a 6 month clear cancer survivor Medical always wants you to wait excuse me I am the one that has this thing growing inside of me. It is the enemy So be polite but insist about any apppt tests etc. There are always spots on schedules to get done what needs to be done, sometimes it maybe at 6 a m but what the heck you got the tests or appt taken care off. I also had a discussion with a person through some Angel ????????????? group I got to talk to a person in Salt Lake I live in the Midwest that answered a lot of my question as they had gone thru what I just did They connect you with people that are or had the same procedure. Sorry cannot think of their full name Maybe somebody on this site can help She answered alot of my ? and was open to calls anytime of the day SO stay strong & be polite but don't accept no or we can get you in to see somebody in the year 2026/ I had one stupid nurse say that to me. I reply 2026 if I wait that long I will be dead!!!!!!!!!! Guess what she found a time slot that week I am cancer free so far yaaaaaaaaaa and I have a complete body as one quack doc locally told me either have this surgery with no guareente I would make it off the table or go die Gee those were wonderful options Wish i had the time to show my face to this quack look I am alive no surgery & I am alive. So stay strong you can beat this monster

Im in the Midwest. Kansas City, MO area. I’ll will probably be going to KU Med, they are usually the best in the whole area. I am not the type to take “NO” for an answer, especially with my health. I will make sure everything is investigated throughly and we get this ball rolling. I’m about to leave for Florida for 10 days, and once I get back I’m getting this thing going. I appreciate your comment!