Are you concerned that colonoscopy is more dangerous than the establishment expects?

Colonoscopy cuts out growths of a certain size within your colon. Supposedly, those larger ones are most susceptible of becoming cancerous. Makes good sense. However, would cutting such growths cause an in situ cancer (benign) to spread. I read that when you do biopsy of breast or prostate tissue, one can actually cause a benign cancer to spread and become dangerous. Why would it not work the same for the colon?

In your answer please mention your field of expertise and reference supporting your opinion. These will be considered when selecting the best answer.

Just had one done. The doctor explained to me that when they remove a polyp from the colon they remove it all not just a portion. After removing it they cauterize the area. If the polyp is too large to remove all of it, they leave it there and schedule regular surgery to remove it all. Any growth is dangerous. Even the benign ones. I would recommend discussing this with a doctor for the best answer possible.

Polypectomies do not cause cancer to spread. There are some conditions (particularily sarcomas) that can track along needle sites when performing percutaneous biopsies, but by and large, cancers do not spread because of biopsies or because of surgery...that's an urban legend that is dangerous to perpetuate. Colonoscopic polypectomies are done directly through a colonoscope, not through needle biospy tracts and have been shown to actually decrease the incidence of cancer in those patients who undergo routine screening because they remove precancerous growths before they can become malignant. The main danger during a colonoscopy is either bleeding or perforation, but those risks are extrememly low and are usually encountered during procedures to remove large polyps or patients with other pathology. Get your colonoscopy.