Re: Rectal cancer worries
sounds like piles to me but get the doctor to check.
Re: Rectal cancer worries
It doesn’t at all sound like rectal cancer, which would involve bleeding. Are you male or female?
Re: Rectal cancer worries
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jojo2316
It doesn’t at all sound like rectal cancer, which would involve bleeding. Are you male or female?
I’m male
Re: Rectal cancer worries
Hi again - my anxiety around this has spiked again tonight and I have made the fatal error of googling extensively. Does anyone have any advice on what this could be? Would internal hemorrhoids cause these symptoms (with no rectal bleeding)? I think the absence of bleeding is the thing that’s bothering me and I wonder whether rectal / anal cancer can present with no bleeding, just discomfort? I know I should just go to the doctor but I’m terrified they would just confirm my worst fears. Also, is the fact that the symptoms disappear while asleep perhaps an indicator that this is anxiety-based?
Re: Rectal cancer worries
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twilfred51
Hi again - my anxiety around this has spiked again tonight and I have made the fatal error of googling extensively.
Zero sympathy here I'm afraid. You know where Googling gets you!
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Would internal hemorrhoids cause these symptoms (with no rectal bleeding)?
Yes. And you'll have seen this with your extensive Googling but your brain will have bypassed it and homed in on terminal cancer..
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I think the absence of bleeding is the thing that’s bothering me and I wonder whether rectal / anal cancer can present with no bleeding, just discomfort?
I've had piles since 1988 and only one episode of bleeding (this year) which was most likely due to a fissure as I could feel something like a paper cut?
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I know I should just go to the doctor but I’m terrified they would just confirm my worst fears.
Your GP will snap on the latex gloves and have a good root around your rectum. If you have piles, they will find them. You're not bleeding so there are no red flags to warrant urgent imaging. Or any imaging at all..
To my knowledge, cancer doesn't take a kip?
My question is, do you spend a lot of time sitting down? Cycling etc? Because this can put pressure on nerves down there which can feel like there's somat up ya butt but in fact, it's referred from elsewhere. This has happened to me..
Also, is the fact that the symptoms disappear while asleep perhaps an indicator that this is anxiety-based?[/QUOTE]
Re: Rectal cancer worries
Thanks Nora - that’s helpful and yes I do
spend a lot of time sitting (much more than usual as now working from home). I find that these “spikes” in HA tend to correlate with stressful life events (eg buying a house) - the last one I had a year ago, convinced I had oesophageal cancer. Turned out to be mild gastritis and hiatal hernia. Always though the mind tells you that this is the time it’s going to be for real. So exhausting and all-consuming. Appreciate your help.
Re: Rectal cancer worries
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twilfred51
Thanks Nora - that’s helpful and yes I do
spend a lot of time sitting (much more than usual as now working from home). I find that these “spikes” in HA tend to correlate with stressful life events (eg buying a house) - the last one I had a year ago, convinced I had oesophageal cancer. Turned out to be mild gastritis and hiatal hernia. Always though the mind tells you that this is the time it’s going to be for real. So exhausting and all-consuming. Appreciate your help.
Buy yourself an orthopaedic cushion to sit on. Mine helps me enormously. Also, set a timer for 40 minutes to remind to you to get up and move around. I had to have physio for my issue (which felt like there was a golf ball lodged in my buttock) and it was purely from sitting down for long periods..
Re: Rectal cancer worries