Hi Jules,

im just back from my GP today having suffered with what I was told were piles and a fissure for about 6 months. The GP has referred me to gastroenterology straight away which scares the hell out of me. She tried to inspect me put the pain was just too much. 

I bleed every tine I go to the toilet and the blood is always on the outside of the stool. It also hurts like hell! Please could you tell me your symptoms as I really need to prepare myself for what might be to come.

Many Thanks xx

Hi Wotastar, 

my symptoms were going to the toilet a lot more often and looser with a sense of urgency and blood outside of the stool although it was not painful. I too was looked at for piles and fissures but my GP could not see any so because of the bleeding I was referred to a consultant who found the tumour immediately doing the same exam as the GP, but these guys know exactly what to look for.

There are many reasons for bleeding and diarrhoea but I too found the exam extremely painful and my consultant said this was a sign my tumour was not benign, but he had found it within seconds. 

The fact that you have been already told you have piles and fissures could well mean what you have is something much less serious and a symptom of that, I assume they saw the piles etc to diagnose?

jules x