Hi,
I'm 17 months on from the standard chemo-radiotherapy treatment for anal canal cancer, T1N0M0. My only symptom originally was sudden bleeding once every few months and a colonoscopy found a type 11a_c polyp (depressed lesion which is rare and more likely to be invasive).
I've had an "altered" bowel since treatment, the main problem being urgency in the mornings, but after I've been to the loo 3-4 times it's not too bad. Very slight bleeding sometimes, but nothing like before treatment, until a few weeks ago when I had a proper bleed again, just like pre-treatment. No pain, no diarrhea, just lots of bright red blood when i wiped, and since then, no more bleeding.
I've been referred for an urgent flexible sigmoidoscopy, and my team are telling me they believe it is proctitis, but I'm worried it's a recurrence. Has anyone had any experience of proctitis? I have had lots of mucous since treatment, although that has settled down a lot now.
Thanks a lot, Kate
Hi KateC123 ,
I bled on & off for a couple of years post treatment, mostly caused by a difficult bowel movement but sometimes it seems there was no reason, it would often be a smear on the loo roll but other times there would be blood in the water in the toilet too, I could go to the loo an hour later & there’d be no blood at all. In hindsight I probably had slight radiation proctitis.
It’s a positive thing that your team are following this up with a flexible sigmoidoscopy, hopefully the worst it reveals is proctitis & this will improve over time.
I completely understand the stress you must be under right now, I hope you get a date for your sigmoidoscopy really soon & your mind can be put at rest. Please let us know how you get on.
Nicola
Hi Kate,
I’m really sorry you’re going through this uncertainty—I can understand how worrying it must be. First of all, it’s great that your team is taking this seriously and getting you checked out with a flexible sigmoidoscopy. That will give you clearer answers soon.
Proctitis is quite common after chemo-radiotherapy, as radiation can cause long-term inflammation in the rectal area. Symptoms like urgency, mucus, and occasional bleeding do line up with it, especially if the bleeding isn't persistent. Some people experience flare-ups even months or years post-treatment.
That said, I completely get why you’d be anxious about recurrence. It’s hard not to go to worst-case scenarios, but try to remind yourself that bright red blood is usually more indicative of surface-level irritation (like proctitis or even hemorrhoids) rather than deeper issues.
Hoping your scope brings reassuring results—please keep us posted, and take care. 
Best,
Harshi
That’s great that you have a date KateC123 , not too far away either although I understand it might feel a lot further away for you. Fingers crossed it’ll be clear & you can relax a bit.
Nicola
