Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer?

Hi, @teresacorrea - that is for sure is hard. Anytime doctors use the "C" word, it makes patients shudder, even if it's called "precancer," "low-risk cancer," "slow-growing cancer," or the like.

I personally was told when I learned the laboratory had found a neuroendocrine tumor (the doctor had removed like it was a polyp, I believe thinking it was a polyp) in 2023 that it was a "low-risk and slow-growing" type of neuroendocrine tumor. Despite the adjectives downplaying the risk, my fear was pretty high because my father-in-law was at that time dying from a neuroendocrine tumor (originating somewhere else than the rectum, where mine was found), and I could not hear even "encouraging" words attached to the "C" word.

That was scary news. The upshot is that after three to four months of testing, the doctors finally determined I had 0% of cancer left in my body, thankfully. But along the way, during all this testing, I had moments of tears streaming down my face during scans out of sheer terror and random crying just sitting on my couch at home, again, just because I was scared sometimes.

It would be completely legitimate to go back to the gastroenterologist who told you he'd see you in a year and that he was doubtful the precancer would turn into cancer to see if he'd meet with you again and explain it in further detail. If he's willing - even for a video chat - it might also be a good idea to have a friend or a spouse with you who can also hear what he says and be available to go over it again with you at any moments of doubt. It is a big deal that you understand why it is or is not worrisome, as you have to live with this information floating around your head for the next year.

If by any chance this gastroenterologist is not available, you might ask your primary care doctor to meet with you or call you to talk it through.

What do you think about having a further discussion to completely understand the "precancer" and then the "Don't worry about it"?

I met and talked to them both the internist and gastroenterologist. It was the same answer. Most are benign and we'll check it in a year. Thank you for answering me😊. I just look at Cancer, pre or otherwise, as a risk.

@lisalucier Hello, I too was just told I have Intestinal Metaplasia on yesterday. I have not had the follow up with my GI Dr., but I do at least have an already scheduled appointment with my PCP who can give me some insight. The Dr. who preformed the endoscopy did mention in the letter to me it’s low risk and not an urgent concern. So I will take that as what it is until otherwise told something else. Thank God for my GI Dr. who was actually looking for something else and this IM was an incidental find.

@riflemanz64 Hello, I was just told I have Intestinal Metaplasia from an Endoscopy, my 6 month with my PCP was already scheduled so I talked with her. She said this Intestinal Metaplasia is not worrisome. My stomach has inflammation, and while my Gastroenterologist tried to take me off Omeprazole, my PCP says to take it daily it help the inflammation. My question to the group is has anyone tried the Ryze Mushroom coffee and if so how was it?

No I haven’t tried it. I just bought some low acid %50 less caffeine coffee.