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I have some kind of growth on my anus
I haven't been diagnosed with anal cancer, but this is the closest forum I found.
There is a small growth/bump/SOMETHING on my anus. I first noticed it over the weekend and it hasn't gone away. At 21, I'm pretty young to have hemorrhoids, and it isn't bleeding. So I don't know what it could be. I'm afraid to go to a doctor. I just moved here, and as a young grad student, I'm worried they'll automatically assume it's an STD and judge me. (It isn't-- trust me, nobody's been there!) This is just really embarrassing, and I was hoping I could get some anonymous advice. doesn't bother me that much, but it does itch a little. When I wipe, I can't avoid it and it hurts. Is there a way to know if it's something serious? If it isn't, how long until it goes away?
There is a small growth/bump/SOMETHING on my anus. I first noticed it over the weekend and it hasn't gone away. At 21, I'm pretty young to have hemorrhoids, and it isn't bleeding. So I don't know what it could be. I'm afraid to go to a doctor. I just moved here, and as a young grad student, I'm worried they'll automatically assume it's an STD and judge me. (It isn't-- trust me, nobody's been there!) This is just really embarrassing, and I was hoping I could get some anonymous advice. doesn't bother me that much, but it does itch a little. When I wipe, I can't avoid it and it hurts. Is there a way to know if it's something serious? If it isn't, how long until it goes away?
That is good to know! Probably just an hemorrhoid then!
Thanks Ann. I talked to a nurse, but it turned out to be nothing. It went away on its own.
Hi Miriam,
I've survived anal cancer and treatment (which almost killed me:)). It has been two years, and I have experienced every humiliating painful test in the book.
You need to see a doc or nurse to look at it. Are you living on campus? Should be health care readily available for this.
As to fear of STD...doubt it is...but you won't know until you get examined.
In my case when I was finally diagnosed, doc said he saw a genital wart...made me furious as I saw a dermatologist twice a year, and was always told everything was fine.
Even a colonoscopy didn't find it. I had to self refer myself to colon rectal surgeon who knew what it was. By that time I was stage IIIb...
I only review my story to tell you 1) forget being embarrassed, and 2) as you have just found it....get it checked!!
Oh, one other thing I've learned. Be very specific with docs. Don't let them off the hook with some general assumption. That was the real problem with me. No one thought a 70 yr old woman would be sexually active, so they just didn't examine me thoroughly.
Best,
Ann
I've survived anal cancer and treatment (which almost killed me:)). It has been two years, and I have experienced every humiliating painful test in the book.
You need to see a doc or nurse to look at it. Are you living on campus? Should be health care readily available for this.
As to fear of STD...doubt it is...but you won't know until you get examined.
In my case when I was finally diagnosed, doc said he saw a genital wart...made me furious as I saw a dermatologist twice a year, and was always told everything was fine.
Even a colonoscopy didn't find it. I had to self refer myself to colon rectal surgeon who knew what it was. By that time I was stage IIIb...
I only review my story to tell you 1) forget being embarrassed, and 2) as you have just found it....get it checked!!
Oh, one other thing I've learned. Be very specific with docs. Don't let them off the hook with some general assumption. That was the real problem with me. No one thought a 70 yr old woman would be sexually active, so they just didn't examine me thoroughly.
Best,
Ann
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