Understanding and Managing Precancerous Conditions: A Personal Story

Question
In January 2007 I had a hysterectomy because of the abnormal thickening of the wall of the uterus.  Tests from this surgery showed precancerous cells.  After a full hysterectomy, the recommended treatment was a pap smear every 6 months for 5 years.  Just two weeks ago I had a colonoscopy which revealed 3 polyps...1 of which was a tubular adenomous polyp (again called a precancerous cell).  Since precancerous cells have been found now in two places, the uterus and the colon, should chemotherapy or some other treatment be done as a preventative of more of the same?  Also, since the precancerous cells have shown up in two different places, is that a sign that I may eventually have cancer in some part of my body?  Should other testing be done?

Answer
If a hysterectomy was done why was not the cervix of your uterus removed at the same time with the rest of your uterus if you had these dysplastic cell problems from your cervix, so that you would have got rid of that problem for ever?! Discuss that with your gynecologist! If your cervix is removed you can forget about that problem. No chemo therapy is NOT a good idea in your case! As long as your cervix is there you need regular pap smears from it at least every 6 months! Due to your colon polyps you also do need regular colonoscopy check ups at least once a year. As long as you keep this up the risk of cancer in any of these 2 sites is small. What has been found only indicates an increased cancer risk in these 2 sites NO certainty of cancer! And they certainly do not indicate any increased risk elsewhere! On the other hand there are no guarantees either! But that is life!