Scared I have anal cancer. 20 years old, mother recently died of colon cancer

gwj7

I'm a 20 year old male and a few weeks ago while cleaning myself in the shower I discovered a small, hard bump inside my anus. It is internal, but does not go in very far. I suspect that it is on my sphincter. 

The bump is very small in size, probably a little bigger than a grain of sand. I was able to view it in the mirror and I saw a small lump that is lighter in color (almost like a white-ish color). I don't know what to think of this. I think I can also feel another bump of the same makeup a little farther up but I'm unable to view this. Otherwise, I don't have any other symptoms that would lead me to believe that I have cancer. 

 

I understand that it's unlikely for people below 50, let alone 20, to have bowel cancer, but I worry because my 59 year old mother died of colon cancer recently. Aside from her, there is absolutely no bowel cancer history in my extended family. I'm posting this online because the last thing I want to do is get involved with some type of examination. I don't want to have to explain to my father that I found a lump here, because I'm a notorious hypochondriac and it will be hard to be taken seriously.

 

Thanks

Ouch_Ouch_Ouch

Hello.....

I'm sorry that you are worried, but with your mother's death, I can see why. It must have been very difficult for you and your father.

The bump you feel could be a number of things, perhaps a budding hemorrhoid, a genital wart, a natural anatomical feature you were born with. Anal cancer is fairly rare, but if you have it, you have it 100%. So, the FIRST thing you should do (not the last!) is have an exam from someone who knows about diseases of the anal canal/rectum (ie, maybe not your primary MD, but a colo-rectal specialist). Have an exam if only to calm your fears; that's worth a lot all by itself.

Since there was colon cancer in such a close relative, I'm sure that your father will want you to take care of yourself. If you really think he won't want you to do so, you are 20 now: do you really need his permission to see the doctor? Do you have your own insurance ID card? Note that your insurance company might require you to see your primary MD first to arrange for a consult. Call the customer service number that's on your ID card to ask how it all works.

All the best of luck and keep us posted.

mp327

gwj7

I have to agree with the other responder--you really should have this checked out.  Chances are good that it is not cancer, but you can not know that without getting it examined by a specialist.  I second the recommendation of seeing a colorectal doctor.  While anal cancer is rare and usually does not occur in people as young as you, I would not think it's unheard of, so please get it looked at.  No one wants to hear the words "You have cancer," but it would be worse to hear the words "you have cancer and it's in an advanced stage."  Get checked--if it's something serious, you'll get it taken care of early.  I wish you all the very best.

qv62

gwj7

The others have summed up very good advice so I will just chime in and say I third the motion. Good luck, and let us know how things work out.

MKW213

It's probably nothing but . . .

I agree with everyone. Have a specialist check it out. I am female and got bounced around to 8 doctors before my colorectal specialist diagnosed it. It is probably nothing, like someone said a hemorrhoid, wart, or nothing at all. I had rectal bleeding a couple of years ago, went to a surgeon who examined me externally, said it was a hemorrhoid, and refused to see me again because I wouldn't have a colonoscopy (have a hernia and when I finally had the scope, it was a huge problem). Bleeding stopped, so didn't think anything more of it. When I was FINALLY diagnosed in April, it was stage 3b. And could have been easily found if that damn surgeon 2 years ago had done an internal exam. So much better to catch it earlier. Good luck. Let us know how you make out. This is a great board for information and support. But have a feeling you won't need us!

nicotianna

MKW213 said:

It's probably nothing but . . .

I agree with everyone. Have a specialist check it out. I am female and got bounced around to 8 doctors before my colorectal specialist diagnosed it. It is probably nothing, like someone said a hemorrhoid, wart, or nothing at all. I had rectal bleeding a couple of years ago, went to a surgeon who examined me externally, said it was a hemorrhoid, and refused to see me again because I wouldn't have a colonoscopy (have a hernia and when I finally had the scope, it was a huge problem). Bleeding stopped, so didn't think anything more of it. When I was FINALLY diagnosed in April, it was stage 3b. And could have been easily found if that damn surgeon 2 years ago had done an internal exam. So much better to catch it earlier. Good luck. Let us know how you make out. This is a great board for information and support. But have a feeling you won't need us!

MKW213

Curious...have you ever considered taking legal action?  The surgeon should have recommended an anoscopy.

Nic

MKW213

nicotianna said:

MKW213

Curious...have you ever considered taking legal action?  The surgeon should have recommended an anoscopy.

Nic

Nicotianna

I asked him if he could do one and he said he didn't have the scope, but never referred me to a colorectal doc--there are none in this area. Never thought about pursuing anything, but may look into that. He is one of many doctors I have seen that are on my "Will never touch me again" list.  I had a new (to me, but certainly experienced) gynecologist do a pelvic last December and said, "Hmmm, that's hard as a rock." He never did a rectal. Then proceeded to order an ablation and D&C, which I refused. Was told later it would have been extremely inappropriate for him to do those procedures--it was thought I was having postmenopausal bleeding, but apparently it was actually the tumor bleeding, as it had gone through the vaginal wall. I wrote him a scathing letter he probably never saw and have reported him to the Health Department and am waiting to hear back. I was finally diagnosed a couple of months later, after bouncing from doctor to doctor, and was 3b at that point, so am not sure that amount of time made any difference. Doing really well now, tho and finally have a good group of docs. Thanks for the idea!

nicotianna

MKW213 said:

Nicotianna

I asked him if he could do one and he said he didn't have the scope, but never referred me to a colorectal doc--there are none in this area. Never thought about pursuing anything, but may look into that. He is one of many doctors I have seen that are on my "Will never touch me again" list.  I had a new (to me, but certainly experienced) gynecologist do a pelvic last December and said, "Hmmm, that's hard as a rock." He never did a rectal. Then proceeded to order an ablation and D&C, which I refused. Was told later it would have been extremely inappropriate for him to do those procedures--it was thought I was having postmenopausal bleeding, but apparently it was actually the tumor bleeding, as it had gone through the vaginal wall. I wrote him a scathing letter he probably never saw and have reported him to the Health Department and am waiting to hear back. I was finally diagnosed a couple of months later, after bouncing from doctor to doctor, and was 3b at that point, so am not sure that amount of time made any difference. Doing really well now, tho and finally have a good group of docs. Thanks for the idea!

MKW213

You have been through the ringer!  I am happy you have good docs now.  Hope you are cured!

Nic

mp327

MKW213 said:

Nicotianna

I asked him if he could do one and he said he didn't have the scope, but never referred me to a colorectal doc--there are none in this area. Never thought about pursuing anything, but may look into that. He is one of many doctors I have seen that are on my "Will never touch me again" list.  I had a new (to me, but certainly experienced) gynecologist do a pelvic last December and said, "Hmmm, that's hard as a rock." He never did a rectal. Then proceeded to order an ablation and D&C, which I refused. Was told later it would have been extremely inappropriate for him to do those procedures--it was thought I was having postmenopausal bleeding, but apparently it was actually the tumor bleeding, as it had gone through the vaginal wall. I wrote him a scathing letter he probably never saw and have reported him to the Health Department and am waiting to hear back. I was finally diagnosed a couple of months later, after bouncing from doctor to doctor, and was 3b at that point, so am not sure that amount of time made any difference. Doing really well now, tho and finally have a good group of docs. Thanks for the idea!

MKW213

Report this doctor to your State Medical Board.  I believe that complaint will then become permanent on his record.  Also, locate him on Vitals.com and write a review.  It may save someone else from seeing this doctor who is well below par.

Martha

Ouch_Ouch_Ouch

gwj7, where art thou?

Has anyone heard from gwj7? I hate to see someone so scared and anguished.