Slightly worried I might have rectal cancer

[ProblemBum]

I am not the poo troll...whatever that is but have seen mentioned previously. I'm worried and looking for reassurance.

Always been regular with no bowel issues. Since July increasing constipation

I visited the GP who said I have piles. (Was expecting to be told it was a fissure) internal and external. Prescribed an ointment which can only be used for 7 days. So I'm now nearly 3 weeks on with no change and have been using the ointment when desperate and anusol suppositories as well. Pain most days especially if I've used the loo.

Diet is pretty good. Every day I have either yoghurt or porridge with chia and flax and fresh fruit/prunes or apricot. I drink at least 2L of water along with cups of tea and coffee.

I use senna at night if I've gone 2 days without the loo. I use laxido in the daytime. (Never ever needed this until recently) Despite this I'm still struggling to poo. It feels as if I'm giving birth.

Why has my bowel changed habit and what can I do? Is this just normal bowel habit if you have piles? Going back to the GP if I can get an appointment.

Close family member died of bowel cancer age 37 so it's on my mind. I'm hoping you all tell me its a result of piles.. I'm frightened, embarrassed and a bit desperate to resolve.

Probably should add I've just done bowel cancer screening which was negative. I do see occasional blood but barely any

Dont panic, once your bowels get messed up it can be hard to get them back to normal. Are you having a bowel movement every day? If not then use glycerin suppositeries. You have to keep it all moving.

GPs can be so unsympathetic and give the impression its easily sorted with a healthy diet, thats not my experience. I had massive problems in pregnancy because hormones affected my bowels, I had a v heakthy diet.

It's not 'normal' because it's not 'normal for you' but there is a whole world between that and cancer. Please try not to worry, especially if you have a clear screening.

You do however need to persevere with the GP and find out what's wrong and how to fix it properly.

Thank you. I'll bother the GP again

Go back to your GP. Your symptoms could be anal or rectal cancer, which are rare but often ( usually, even ) misdiagnosed as haemorrhoids at first.
Sorry to be alarmist but I have a good reason.

Are you drinking plenty? Dehydration is not your friend with constipation. Take enough laxatives to make it a daily softer pass.

One of the biggest indicators of bowel cancer is unexplained change in bowel habits.
i would go back and insist on further tests, colonoscopy etc

2 litres plus tea and coffee.
Laxido and a senna last night. You'd think it would pour out of me but no!

@Footle and @curious79 I really really don't want to. In pain tonight and feel like another exam will be painful. It was really painful last time, barely able to hold still but frightened to move. I know I'm going to have to beca5its not going away despite wait and hope

Are you female if so how old, could the menopause be an influence?

Female and meno about 15 yrs ago

Reaching the age of 60 is a risk factor for constipation all on its own, but there are others, too. Women have constipation more than men, but everyone experiences general aging that can increase the risk of constipation. Adults who are frail are most at risk, as well as people who: eat a low fiber diet.

Could be an age thing I'm afraid. Xx

It's creeping up on me too! 😫

Hi Op,
Are you soaking your flax and chia seeds ?
If not, they will massively soak up water and could block you.
So if you soak them both that will create a good mucilage that should help move things along.

Have you tried castor oil?
Must be hexane free, in a dark bottle, organic and cold pressed if possible.
You put some drops in your navel and massage the overspill in a circular direction. You should have a easier poo by next day.
Plus you can apply castor oil after a shower/ bath onto the actual haemorrhoid/s. It is anti inflammatory and soothing. Apply every day/ evening till they clear.

Furthermore, piles are a sign of weak spleen, try introducing some millet into your porridge or soup.
I'm around your age, recently had piles and the above all worked.
Good Luck.

Just wanted to add you must cook the millet as this will also soak up soak up liquid if you don't cook it.

I am not a doctor, but you may also need more oil in your diet, ie flax seed oil.

OK lots of stuff to try 😊

Love castor oil .... it's so good ..defo try this op and look up foods to support spleen great advice from village I reckon...would cut out the seeds for a bit maybe try pumpkin instead for a while.

Have you started any new drugs or vitamins??
Have you introduced anything new to your diet?? E.g cheese etc
Have you changed your physical activity status?
Are you stressed?
Change in caffeine habits?

Is there blood mixed in with stools or only on tissue paper??

If blood misses with stools then see GP asap!!
If only after wiping then you may need to step up treatment?

When did it start?
Any weight changes?
Any changes in appetite?
Any changes in energy levels?
Any underlying health conditions?

Might sound horrible, but take a pic of your stools and send to gp or show at next appointment as it will give them a clearer pic and they will appreciate it! Like they say, a pic is worth a thousand words.

If you have the money then go private.
The NHS can take forever.

Also, worth getting a second opinion.

You know you best!!!!

@ProblemBum , if examination is too painful, they'll have to order scans instead. Really important to find out why it's so painful.

And the NHS can be very quick if necessary.

Completely agree if you feel you need more medical checks don't hesitate.

Piles can be painful and mine were for two days pre castor oil/ then big shift..
Otherwise you didnt mention what the rest of your diet is like.
I get bunged up with wheat bread/pasta etc, so I use alternatives and also eggs can bung me up if not eating enough veg.
Food diary and/or testing can be very helpful to figure out what really suits your current body. ( At menopause I had to give up caffeine! So difficult but stopped the migraines in their tracks.)

I became constipated back in July so bad was the pain husband drove me to A.E, scan revealed a blockage, coloniscopy emergency discovered 5 polyps rectal benign, two lesions 4mm and 8mm removed, waited 4 weeks for results which said I have An2 pre so in a way glad that we made the decision that day A.E as my Dr kept prescribing movacal. I don't have bowel cance they said but had I not had removed withing 10yrs it would have developed, my mother had bowel cancer, so ask g.p for referral for coloniscopy.

So here I am a year on.

Laxido and ducolax are my friends. That has kept the problem at bay. Last year I went with what I thought was a degree of prolapse/rectocele as I have a hard lump which moves up and down with pelvic floor. Doesn't look like rectal prolapse images. Not visible, just palpable like a large nose pushing out (laughing as I say this but best description). I also thought I had a fissure, but GP said no to lump and fissure last year. Significan't haemorrhoids was the diagnosis.

I wanted to deal with the cause, so I went back to the GP this week for advice on what haemorrhoid surgery would be appropriate. I'm prepared to go privately.

Somehow, I've found myself on a 2WW for gastroenterology. GP says I have anal fissure, anal ulceration and seemed keen to tell me, "It's probably nothing" but was very pushy about going down the 2ww route.

I'm still aware of this cone pushing out of my butt but covered in skin like normal. She didn't mention it. The exam was excruciating so I imagine it was useless as so restricted.

Sorry for details but I'm so confused. I can't understand how I can go from me saying I have a lump and fissure to 'no you don't'...roll forward to 'anal ulceration' and what does it mean?

Is a lump normal. No one seems to mention it. Is 2WW always a cancer pathway or old it just be for more urgent care? I only wanted advice on surgical treatment for haemorrhoids which are now not mentioned.

Totally confused.