GP going down wrong track

Hi that happened to me they thought I was neurotic and didn't listen to me either  I eventually went private but it took 6 months and now 3 years on still not cured I'm on treatment but it's not curable Hooe you respond better to treatment than I did wishing you well take care xx

Hi Surreygirl Welcome to the forum although I'm sorry you have found yourself here. I was misdiagnosed to start with so it took a while from initial gp appointment to diagnosis and treatment but I'm now cancer free. Unfortunately misdiagnosis and having to push your gp and hospitals seems to be very common with AC. Sending hugs. Xx

Hello Surreygirl 

A warm welcome to the forum, although I am really sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  And it is shocking but you are one of many on the forum who were misdiagnosed by their GP.  Many others have been told they have piles (often without examination) and sent of with a prescription for cream, I am sure some will come on board to commiserate with you.

When you first hear the words 'it is cancer' it really is the most awful time, we can all remember only too well.  But you have come to the right place as everyone on here has been through or are going through some of what you are going through right now.  There will be more tests and scans before any treatment is started and it will seem like a lot of waiting around but all this is so that you get the best treatment plan for you.

We have lots of tips and coping strategies so please come back and let us know what happens at the next meeting.

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi there Surreygirl ,

Another warm welcome from me to the MacMillan Online Community although I’m so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.

As you’ll have probably gathered by now misdiagnosis with anal cancer isn’t at all unusual & in the 8 years since my diagnosis it doesn’t seem to have improved much, anal cancer just doesn’t seem to be on GP’s radar hardly ever! This needs to change! 

I’m hoping that now you have your diagnosis that you’ll soon be given a treatment plan & be on the road to living a life that is cancer free. 

Please know we’re here to support you however we can.

Nicola 

Hello Surreygirl,

Another warm welcome from me to the forum and I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. This forum is such a supportive community and I have found the tips and advice from the lovely members invaluable.

Like Irene said, I am one of the many who was initially misdiagnosed with piles. After 6 months of symptoms, I was given prescription cream last July. When that clearly didn't work, my GP attempted an examination. I nearly hit the ceiling with the pain! Looking rather shocked, she referred me on the 2ww for a sigmoidoscopy at the end of August that confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. I was diagnosed with anal cancer early September 2025.

Two months later, I developed a fistula and I was admitted for an emergency colostomy (Paloma the stoma has helped a lot). Today I get the scan results after 6 months of Carboplatin/Paclitaxel chemotherapy and to find out the next steps.

Wishing you all the best for your meeting. Take a notebook, ask lots of questions and make lots of notes. Keep us updated.

Kathy x

Thank you so much for all of the responses. 
I went privately to have a colonoscopy as I wasn’t getting anywhere with my GP and he abandoned the procedure as it couldn’t be done due to the tumour. Tomorrow I meet with the consultant for the results of the biopsies although it’s on the discharge letter T3 N1 squamous carcinoma of the anus. 

Hoping that your appointment goes well and you get positive news. 

thank you!