Worried lump under belly button. Not visible.

[Lisa_Ann]

Hi I have been having health problems for a few months now and have kept my doctors informed throughout but they just think I have very bad anxiety as it’s one thing after another. I’ve tried to explain they are real issues that can be seen and felt.

I started having thinner stools in September.

One day they were normal and I remember goi my 2/3 times a day but one day of the third time I did strain so much and the next day I had thinner stools. I went to the doctor and they checked my rectum and didn’t find anything. I do have a few skin tags. I think I remember a time in this period that I measured my stool and they were

A bit bulkier. But this is only happened a couple of times. I had bowel issues 2 years ago and had a colonoscopy 2 years in January just gone. Nothing. Was found.

On Sunday I was playing with my belly button and felt I had a lump under it. You can’t see it to look at my belly button but feeling it you can and it’s about 1 centimetre. One doctor said it could be a cyst or hernia and call back if it gets bigger or red. And another doctor said it could be like the ones we have in our belly like the fat lumps but it’s not. It’s a hard lump and don’t think it’s completely round. But if you took my belly button off it would be like I had a marble poking out. I pushed for them to examine me as they weren’t going to as I’ve been in for things recently. One was having bleeding after intercourse and spotting in between period. I was examined and all was fine but had a scan and they found I had a polyp on uterus. The doctor got annoyed with me for wanting to go in and said if nothing. Is found we will have to have some boundaries. I’m not imagining these things they are happening. And I certainly wouldn’t go in for nothing because of COVID as that scares me so much especially with being ill. Worrie this lump will be something bad. It feels it. I know we get lumps and bumps but this is just weird. Nothing was there before. It’s not like the other lumps on my belly. I know they are normal.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Hi Lisa_Ann ,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. I'm sorry to hear about the anxiety that the lump is causing. As hard as it is, try to not let the anxiety get to you too much. (I know that it is a lot easier said than done!). Our GI systems are very sensitive to stress and anxiety and can make symptoms worse.

This site does not offer medical advice, but we are here to share our experience and offer our advice. It should not replace speaking to your doctor.

It does seem like the lump could have multiple causes. I would caution against touching it too much as that may make it seem as though it is getting worse, but is just getting irritated from being messed with.

It sounds like from what you've shared that it might be a good idea to get a second opinion, and perhaps even change your doctor. If you feel that your concerns are not being taken seriously, it can strain the patient/doctor relationship and cause a lot of issues when it comes to communicating concerns. Is seeking out a second opinion/changing doctors an option for you?

~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.