Hello all, I'm back. Hope you're all well and those of you who are having treatment hope you're getting through it all ok. If you remember I came here for advice for symptoms I was having several weeks ago, anal bleeding and a skin tag type of growth that I'd had for awhile, but hadn't paid too much attention to it. Got a fast tracked appointment for the hospital and the colectoral specialist recommended me for a colonoscopy, and that came back as being all clear. Asked him about the lump type of skin tag and he assured me it was just that, a skin tag and not cancer, he did do an internal. However, last week ago, I had another show of blood, very little, not as much as the first time, but enough for me to make a face to face appointment with a lady doctor, (never seem to see my own GP!), so I could be examined again. Again she said it wasn't anal cancer and looked like a sentinal lump that was probably from an anal fissure, and as I had just had a colonoscopy that was all clear, there wasn't anything to worry about. She never bothered to do an internal, I felt it was all rushed. However, on reflection over the last few days, I decided to make an eConsult to ask if I'm suppose to live with this and not worry about the occasional blood that I find a bit unnerving, surely this can't be right. Know how knowledgeable you ladies are, so felt the need for your feedback, as I'm feeling a bit drained about it all, thinking they're not taking me seriously. I suffer from anxiety anyway, and they've probably got me down as having health anxiety, but I don't like the way they've not offered me any other further investigation to see what's causing the show of blood. What worries me is that because anal cancer is rare, doctors don't seem to take it seriously. I don't want to be told in a few months time that I have a more serious issue due to doctors not really listening, all about costs I'm sure! Thinking of asking to be referred privately, so I can get another opinion. I'm trying to stay away from Dr Google! Sorry it's so long guys, but there's no one else to talk to, and I remember what Nicola and 1in 1500 (Bev) said, "keep an eye on it', and it's stuck on my mind.
Eirene xx.
Hi Fun,
This all sounds very promising although it’s obvious that you’re understandably still concerned about your symptoms. Both my colorectal surgeon & my oncologist have told me on several occasions that a digital rectal examination (DRE) is by far the best way to check for anal cancer, my tumour wasn’t visible on either of my diagnostic scans (CT & MRI) but on examination my surgeon said he could definitely feel it, I was diagnosed stage 1. If you feel it will ease your worries then go for the second opinion. Also so much of the information on Google is outdated or just plain wrong so please try & avoid googling symptoms etc. I would also be enquiring as to if anything can be done about this sentinel lump/fissure.
Nicola
Thank you Bev and Nicola for replying so quickly, very much appreciated. Hope I haven't offended anyone by posting as I haven't been diagnosed with anything yet, but know how knowledgeable you all are. Bev, the colorectol specialist did give me an internal, told him I was concerned about the skin tag lump, and he said it was nothing to be concerned about, that it was just a skin tag. The skin tag I had for several months, its only when I had the first show of blood that I thought it may have been from the skin tag, but he put me forward for a colonoscopy.
Was never aware I had an anal fissure, so was news to me when the doctor I saw last week about having the 2nd show of blood, said a sentinel pile can grow over scarred tissue to heal itself. She mentioned about when I gave birth, well that was over 44 years ago!
Anyway, my eConsultation is next Tuesday, so will also be asking if anything can be done about about the lump/fissure, and will ask if I can be referred for an anoscopy. I will let you know how I get on after the eConsultation. It's so hard to get a face to face consultation at the moment. Will let you both know how I get on. Thanks again for your kindness. Eirene.
