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

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.

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 said:

MKW213

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

Nic

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 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!

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