This is my story I posted on Facebook. With my recent update at the end.

29/sept/21

Hi everyone. My name is Dan. Im 41 yo male from the UK. 

I've always suffered with piles since my early 20s. I am overweight, currently 21 stone, but did peak at 25 stone around a decade ago. I am type 2 diabetic.

In Dec 2020 I have a colonoscopy as I was having persistent pain in my gut. The colonoscopy showed I have diverticular disease, and also as I already knew hemorrhoids. I was advised to increase my fibre intake which I have. My stools have always been loose, I never pass "logs" always more like Cowpats, this has been consistent throughout my life, it's normal for me.

I recently found, about 3 weeks ago now, what I thought/think is a pile, a lump the size of a kidney bean on my anus. Not hard but firm.

I Could feel this when I wiped after the toilet and for about a week it stung real bad, but apart from a tiny spot of blood on toilet paper once, it hasn't bleed. After a week of using Germoloids over-the-counter cream externally the pain stopped but the lump remains.

I had an examination by my GP, a new doctor to my doctor's surgery and she has really worried me.

She said:

"If you hadn't had a colonoscopy 8 months ago, I would be concerned, it's too recent to grow a cancer, try these suppositories and I'll contact you in a week"

She prescribed me Scheriproct suppositories to use once a day for 7 days and will call me on Monday (7 days after examination)

I've used it 3 times now, and it's made no difference to the lump as far as I can tell. 

I am absolutely terrified. I am diagnosed/had therapy and medicated for GAD, OCD, panic attacks. So her just mentioning cancer has made my head spin. I can't stop googling anal cancer symptoms, and taking photos of my anus and obsessing every moment.

I wish the GP hasn't said anything about cancer then sent me away with pile cream.

She seems to think 8 months is fast time to go from an clean colonoscopy to cancer so why mention it at all?

Anyway, thanks for listening. I know I can't be diagnosed on here, and that's not what I'm asking. I just need to talk about this.

Ps: regarding what I have read about anal cancer I'll just add: I am a straight male, not sexually active (nothing since 2010) I do not play with my bottom etc. I said this because I read a lot that anal cancer can be caused by sexual stuff.

Latest: 4/Oct/ 21

I had a follow up telephone appointment with my GP, as the medication has not had any effect on the lump, she's referred me as "suspected cancer" and will see a specialist within 14 days.

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Thank you for reading. Dan