Preventing sessile serrated adenomas

Thank you for the kind words! It's very hard to be calm when going through the unknown, especially health-wise. I had a very healthy diet and frankly, once I knew that it was genetic and that I was going to have annual scopes, I put away my concerns about different foods and ate as healthy as possible for my overall health. A bonus was that when the time came for surgery, I was healthy and left the hospital after 2 days. One step at a time!

Hi , just wanted to check in and see how you are doing these days. I just found that I have 2 sessile serrated adenomas and I’m kinda scared. Thanks

Hello there. I am good, thank you. My three very large SSA’s were removed, and another colonoscopy a year later (in 2024) showed that they hadn’t grown back yet. One fairly small adenoma of another type was found and removed as well. I have been scheduled to return for another colonoscopy two years from this most recent one. I have gathered that the absolute best thing for folks like us to do is to stay vigilant with the colonoscopies. There is guidance on the monitoring frequencies, and we can expect to go in more often for these procedures (I expect to eventually settle in to a frequency of once every 2-3 years, depending). Regarding prevention, I haven’t found any advice beyond the usual. Once I make it past a colonoscopy and the labs come back negative for cancer, I try to put it all out of my mind until the next scan. My advice for the interim period is to take care of yourself and once you have the basic info down about SSA’s, do not immerse yourself in Internet info or GI publications because that can get to be too much. These are tricky adenomas, but they can certainly be managed.

Thank you so much for your kindness and sensibility. I have been in a funk for about two weeks now over this but your words were comforting to me. Do you go to the Mayo Clinic? I wonder if I should see a Dr there? I live in Philadelphia. I guess the take home message is that it IS manageable with extra colonoscopy . Thanks again and have a great day

You’re welcome. I am in Seattle (UW Medicine system), and did not go to Mayo. I imagine your question is really about the skill of the doctors who perform these colonoscopies on patients such as us. SSA’s require skill to remove, and should I move somewhere new in the future I will certainly look for medical providers with experience in finding and managing such sessile adenomas. The Philadelphia area has great health care (for example the Penn system) and working in our favor I would think is that population centers are better resourced and see more cases like ours.

I understand completely. I only had one 10mm SS but come from a family history of CC. So I take it very seriously. I do all the same things you do but am 67. My GI said depending on my next colonoscopy we’ll decide on whether we’ll do anymore. That kind of surprised me but I can always request one.
I think exams are the only way to be sure. The SS are the fastest growing and are more flat so they’re harder to find than the mushroom type. I was angry because I didn’t want to pass it on to my kids. My daughter just had her first colonoscopy at 39 and had 2 SS removed. Trying to get my son to go as he’s 46 and putting it off

thanks again for your calm and sensible tone. Today is my birthday and I am a basket case. Philadelphia does have great healthcare , including Penn like you Mentioned. I am connected with the Bryn Mawr hospital group and that’s who did my Colonoscopy. I feel so confident in their abilities.

When was your first colonoscopy? Did you
Notice anything different before and after they removed the polyps.

They want to do my repeat colonoscopy in 3 years. I wonder if I should go
Back next year instead?

My first colonoscopy was in November 2023. Of course there were no symptoms beforehand, so I was shocked they found anything at all (also given the lack of risk factors). I noticed no difference whatsoever after the removal of the adenomas. If they hadn’t shown me the before/after photos of every location, I would have had no indication that anything had transpired at all.
The recommended monitoring frequencies for these things are pretty formulaic, and the number and size of SSA’s have a lot to do with the interval each person’s doctor will set. I definitely encourage sending a message to your doctor if you want to ask about the interval they’ve set for you. They can at least explain it, and that may set your mind at ease.
I stressed myself out initially, and I read too much. I think the thing that helped most mentally was that first ‘anniversary’ colonoscopy after the adenomas had been removed when they could ‘check their work’ and look for anything new. Once you pass that anniversary without anything particularly bad showing up, it becomes easier to conceptualize it all as a thing to be managed.

Hello @suzannebowers,

I've been following your posts with @peacefish. I'm glad that his comments have helped you feel a bit more at east with your situation. That is the great thing about Connect, we don't have to feel alone when we are dealing with a scary health issue.

I see that you feel confident about your current hospital group, however, please know that it is always your right to seek a second opinion. A second opinion might help you to be more at ease with your current treatment plan.

I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract for a rare form of cancer. My first two surgeries were at a local hospital which certainly had a decent reputation. However, when I got my third diagnosis, I decided to go to a university medical school in my area for another opinion. My experience there was overwhelmingly positive. I had a much better surgical experience and quicker recovery.

Might you consider a second opinion at a multi-disciplinary health system?