I had pain ...stinging aching in rectum .. I was misdiagnosed with internal hemorrhoids fir months until I could get a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy showed the tiny 2cm mass and the edges were non malignant but the Surgeon didn't agree w that. So
I then had an anal scope in

office.. then a complete biopsy

under anesthesia which
revealed squamous cell
carcinoma anal cancer
All the while. Hard to sit!! Pain in rectum

Off to Mayo .. never regretted it. Superior care .

also if you are in pain, they should move the colonoscopy up or send you to a place that can do it sooner

Hello tipster, I explained my vague symptoms before colonoscopy in February 2023 (numerous daily pencil thin bowel movements, mild pain on left side of anus, minor occasional bleeding) and was diagnosed with hemorrhoids. Non cancerous polyps were removed and biopsied and I was informed that there was no need for another colonoscopy for 5 years. I was 72yo and also heard that my Medicare HMO doesn’t like to do colonoscopies after 75yo due to risks. I just didn’t feel like hemorrhoids explained my symptoms so I “treated” myself to an expensive Galleri blood test ordered online that detects 50 types of cancer. Blood test detected anal cancer and hpv16. Biopsy from my HMO confirmed anal squamous cell carcinoma. Now awaiting surgery and further testing for staging. I plan to get a 2nd opinion for further treatment following surgery and staging.