I am so worried, please help

Hi SoBadlyWorried, you certainly seemed to have been through the mill. It is really worrisome when you feel something is wrong and the doctors are not finding anything. I will say I experienced a fissure but that was after my anal cancer treatment and they certainly are not nice. Anal cancer is very rare apparently and unfortunately some do get misdiagnosed with doctors confusing symptoms with haemorrhoids. My doctor examined me internally and said an area did not feel normal as it was hard and haemorrhoids are soft. You have had the anoscopy to see if there is anything abnormal and they have found nothing as maybe there isn’t anything. If you are still feeling very anxious that things don’t feel right then I suggest you go back to your doctors and explain why. You could also look and any changes to your toiletries or soap powders that might just be irritating that area. Even some toilet tissue can cause irritation. I hope this advice helps.

Thank you so much for your reply!

I also feel that my A is a little bit harder at the opening.  But there are no lumps or anything and the doctors didn’t noticed it at all. 
I examined myself today and I don’t feel anything when inserting a finger, there is no pain or any lumps or anything. But I still feel that discomfort on the left side.
I know that anal cancers are rare, especially on my age, but I still think it might be. :( 
Is there any tests I can do to make sure if there is a tumor? 

Hi, it sounds like you are really anxious about this, and you ask if there are any tests you can do to check if you have a tumour. Well, from what you have said, all the tests for an anal tumour have been done by people highly qualified to do this. It is sometimes missed when people go to doc with fissure or haemorrhoids but it seems as though they have checked you thoroughly. I am not medically trained in any way but it is my understanding that anal tumours are usually able to be felt when the doc examines you with his finger. If you have had 3 docs examine you and not find anything, maybe you should try and accept that you may have a fissure and a sore bottom, but you don't appear to have a tumour, and you are getting very stressed about it. 

Would it help you to allow yourself to have one more conversation with a doctor, explain your worries and hear what they say. Then try to get whatever is wrong sorted, without having this tumour thought at the front of your mind all the time. You are right to be watchful of your health, but you are driving yourself to distraction when you have had a lot of reassurance that you don't have a tumour.

Look after yourself, take care.

Hi SoBadlyWorried I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so worried about this. Usually, the best way for doctors to flag up anal cancer is the DRE as in digital rectal examination which you have already had. Also, an anoscopy is sometimes used, this gives the doctor a good opportunity to look at the tissue inside the anal canal. Fortunately this has come back clear in your case. As Jaycee12 has already suggested, I would certainly go back to your doctor and explain how this is affecting you. Mention that you're worried it is anal cancer and you're concerned it's being missed. I think you need further reassurance that the appropriate tests have been carried out.  Common symptoms of anal cancer are a lump, itching and bleeding.  I would be reassured that you don't have any symptoms like that but please do confide in your doctor as to how much this is distressing you. Bev 

Hey, thank you so much for replying me.

I have mentioned to all the doctors I have been to, about my concerns about AC and they were not taking it that serious actually. Once they hear there is no bleeding and after examination they don’t feel a lump or anything - it’s nothing for them. But I have read that its not mandatory to have bleeding, sometimes in early stages, anal cancers just cause discomfort and minor itching.  I don’t know, I probably  read too much about it and that makes it worse. But for sure i will try to go again and ask for another opinion.

I really appreciate you trying to help me!

Hi SoBadlyWorried,

If it’s any help at all I was diagnosed early with my anal cancer, I was T1N0M0 which translated means I was stage 1 with no spread to lymph nodes or other organs. My tumour was undetectable on both of my diagnostic scans (CT & MRI) but on examination my colorectal surgeon could definitely feel it. I would have thought that if there was a tumour present then either the internal examinations or the anoscopy would have picked it up. I would make another appointment with your GP & explain the level of anxiety you’re suffering & how this is affecting you. Also if your symptoms escalate then of course don’t hesitate to contact your GP again. 

Nicola 

Hello, Nikki!

Thank you for texting me.

I also feel that my anus is a bit harder on the one side, just at the opening, but there is no lump or anything, just feels a little thickened. Its not painful when touching and I don’t feel it when having a bowel movement. 

Maybe I should make an appointment for a doctor again, although I already got tired going to examinations. I am so worried. Still very young, that would devastate me. 

Hi again SoBadlyWorried, I’m not saying it couldn’t occur at a younger age but the majority of people that seem to be diagnosed with anal cancer seem to be in their 40’s, 50’s or older. If you wanted to you could ring the Macmillan Helpline if you feel speaking to someone other than your GP would help. 

Nicola