Sorry about the details before I start. I have piles/ Haemorrhoids and I'm concerned that something else is going on. recently, I found a small round hard lump just behind my Anus. I've had problems with piles since having children but now they hang down and are swollen. They bleed sometimes an awful lot - sometimes the blood just drips into the toilet bowl. My concern is about bowel cancer, as my dad had it in his 50s. I know I should see my GP but,I've had a lot of problems with depression and Alcohol abuse due to my mental health and I've had a couple of operations of late,so I feel uneasy about going with another problem, is there anyone else on here who has had this lump and knows if it's a concern or not? thankyou in advance x
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Bparis1975
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There is an easy and quick way to learn if it is cancer or not. Check for CEA. It is a simple blood test. Then you can go on with the necessary therapies with courage
There are many reasons for blood in the stool, some are very treatable with medication, diet change, and minor procedures, and of course, there are more serious reasons for blood in the stool as well. For that reason, we always advise patients to seek medical care when they have blood in the stool.
I understand not wanting to get checked out - but we would encourage you to see the doctor and get examined. When you experience blood in the stool, or feel a lump as you described, the doctor will often perform a DRE (digital rectal exam) where they will both look and feel with their gloved fingers, to see if an any anal fissure (tears in the anus), hemorrhoids, or something else that could be causing the bleeding. Depending on the DRE results, any symptoms you are experiencing, and age, your doctor will determine if further tests need to be performed.
The family history is important to share with your doctor. While hereditary colon cancer accounts for about 5-10% of all colon cancers, it is important to discuss with your doctor because there are tests that can be performed to see if you have a syndrome that may increase your risk of developing certain cancers.
Please get checked out and let us know how we can help you to make that outreach to your medical provider.
~Nicole, GCCA Staff Member & Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.
Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.
Thank you for you advice Nicola. This has been extremely helpful for me and i have now got an appointment for a telephone conceltation with one of our nurses. We have to make these through our GP online. I explained about the lump clearly and asked for a face to face appointment, as obviously it needs to be seen, but she gave me a telephone one instead - which is rather pointless really. So I rang and told them this and they said that's what they do now! I can't say I'm happy with this,as its took a long time to pluck up the courage to contact them and then I'll have to wait again after the 9th February for another appointment - what are your views on this please? I'm at my wits end here and it's making me ill.
Hi Bparis1975 ,The virtual doctor visits can work well for some conditions but it can be a real challenge for others - and of course, for your symptoms, the doctor will need to see you and examine you.
With COVID, we're seeing that policies vary by country, state, and even healthcare providers when it comes to the need for a virtual visit before an in person. The intention may be good, to keep the risk of spreading the virus to a minimum, but I agree with you that it is clear that you will need a DRE (digital rectal exam).
I suggest that you contact the doctor's office, and ask if it is possible to schedule the in-person appointment now, even though you understand you have to first have a virtual visit. (I'm assuming this is policy otherwise I would hope they would have scheduled you for an in-person.)
Be honest with the person you get on the phone and tell them about the anxiety that you are feeling due to this, and that you are hoping there's a way to schedule the follow-up appointment. Share that you have a family history, are experiencing bleeding and now this hard lump has really put you in a state of distress.
Good luck and I hope you can distract yourself in the meantime. You are doing everything you should be doing as far as getting checked out. Don't get ahead of yourself until you get examined by the doctor - there are a number of things that could be causing the lump that you feel.
Thank you so much for your honest opinion Nicola, it has been hard to get through to them about being seen. It isn't as if it can be solved over the phone, the nurse will have to without a doubt examine me and look at the actual lump. I forgot to put in my last post my age,I am 45 and with my alcohol abuse in the past, I'm feeling that this could be an additional risk factor on top of my dad having bowel cancer. I will ring them first thing tomorrow and say what you have advised me to and will let you know if this has made a difference. Kind regards x
Bparis1975 - good luck and let us know what they say. As much as you don't want to address this, and share about the alcohol use, you are brave to do so and it is important that your doctor have all the information and history.
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