Haemorrhoids ? But terrified of cancer

[Clark94]

Hello, looking for some advice or someone who has had similar.

long story short I suffer massively with health anxiety. I lost my dad a while ago to lung cancer and have a massive fear of the disease now.

anyway.. 2 weeks ago I had blood from my back passage when I went to the toilet, the blood was fresh and bright red. Since then I have had stomach pains, gas, bloating etc but every other day have been on google and have self diagnosed myself with colon/bowel cancer (think the symptoms are probably coming from stress/anxiety). Anyway have monitored stools for last 2 weeks and no more blood until today.

went to the toilet this morning and it was sore (like a small tearing sensation) and I knew there was going to be more blood which there was. Didn’t think much more of it until I went to the bathroom a while later to pee and on wiping there was still a lot of bright red blood coming from back passage. Panicked and instantly phoned GP. They seen me earlier and did an examination but couldn’t feel anything but did say likely haemorrhoids but further up. So has given me suppositories and wants me to do a FIT test and blood tests just to be safe.

I can’t help but panic about the what ifs. I have done two more stools today both covered in blood on the outside but not inside or mixed in the stool if that makes sense.

Just wanted some reassurance or to see if anyone else has had anything similar and can help talk down my very anxious dark thoughts 😔

Ok, this sounds like haemorrhoids. It's very normal to run away with this sort of thing, but bright red blood means it hasn't been digested so it's coming out from lower down, and the sensation fits with it being piles. Be ready for the fit test to be positive, and be referred for a colonoscopy, but from what you've said I don't think you need to worry. Best of luck.

oh lovely it could be a range of things. I had very similar and my FIT results were off the scale. I went for a colonoscopy very quickly and was diagnosed with this:

Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectum's lining that can cause discomfort, bleeding, and discharge. It can be acute or chronic, and symptoms can be short-lived. Proctitis is the least serious inflammatory bowel disease, affecting only the last 6 inches of the rectum.

Try not to worry too much and just get the tests done

OP you have done the right thing. It is probably haemorrhoids. I have same issues. I have health anxiety too, do appreciate how you feel. Try not to get constipated. Hand hold.

Bright red blood on the outside does suggest piles. Easy to say but try and distract yourself.

Your sore tummy and wind etc is probably because youve not been eating enough fibre, ie fruit and veg, brown rice etc. and haven’t been drinking enough water.

Does that sum up your diet recently, a load of processed white carb crap with not enough water? That’s what happened to me when I ate that.

Bright red blood isn’t a sign of cancer as far as I know. So that’s good.

Now you just need to eat better and after a few days going to the toilet will be more comfortable and no more blood.

Start now. You’ll be totallyfine by mid week. Then do your fit test after that.

Big hugs.
This happened to me. Totally freaked out. Had a colonoscopy, no sign of haemorrhoids & no reason for the bleeding.
So that was a relief. The bleeding carried on for a couple of weeks after & then stopped on its own.

Can you ask for a colonoscopy? For peace of mind.

Try not to worry. This happened to me a couple of months ago. The doctor ordered a FIT test which came back positive. She then referred me for a colonoscopy (which really wasn’t as bad as I expected) and my colon was absolutely fine. Not so much as a polyp. But I did have some haemorrhoids higher up, which was what was causing the blood.

I don’t know if you’ve had kids but haemorrhoids are even more common in women who’ve had children apparently (and they’re common enough in the general population!)

Big hugs. It’s very scary and I sympathise so much having been here myself but it really isn’t likely to be anything sinister.

Thank you all for your replies. You’ve made me feel a bit better about the situation. Google is not my friend and I’ve spent the last 2 weeks freaking myself out! I had my little boy 4 years ago and was left with what they called a skin tag and it’s bled in the past but when I seen the blood today without actually passing a stool I totally freaked out! But it is bright red and looks like the type of blood you would have from a fresh cut ! It’s quite stingy also around my bum hole area (sorry for the TMI)

Just do the FIT test, if it’s positive you will need a colonoscopy. It’s probably not anything sinister but rates of early onset colon cancer have sky rocketed in the last few years, I had it myself last year. So can tell you from experience that there is nothing to be gained from stalling and googling and any other time wasting activity. Just get the tests done and find out one way or another. because it is very treatable if caught early.

There's a good chance that it will be haemorrhoids or an anal fissure causing it - but please get it checked asap :)

My teenage son has had a few hours of bleeding during bowel movements and the doctor thinks its an anal fissure