Tracy Robert, 49, was diagnosed with a hemorrhoid in her 30s.
Years later, a colonoscopy revealed it was actually a malignant tumor on her rectumshe hadcolorectal cancer.
Heres her story, as told to health writer Julia Ries.
My Doctors Said I Had a Hemorrhoid—But It Was Actually Cancer. Here Are the Signs They Missed
Some people just have these gut issues, one doctor told me.
Just eat more fruits and vegetables.
In 2004 I got pregnant with my first child.
I had a routine appointment with my ob-gyn.
She examined me and identified a hemorrhoid, which is a swollen and inflamed vein, around my anus.
A few years passed, and mydigestive issuesintensified.
To cope with my indigestion, I tried raw vegan and gluten-free diets.
I exercised daily, since movement provided relief, and swore by stool softeners and gas relievers like simethicone.
I felt a heaviness whenever I went to the bathroom.
She asked if I ever sawbloodwhen I did.
Every so often, thered be bright red blood on my toilet paperbut barely any.
She examined my rectum, identified that same little hemorrhoid, and sent me home with suppositories.
In 2014, that all changed.
I was bleeding more frequently after going to the bathroom.
I was like, What the heck is this?
This is not good.
I knew that much blood loss could not be related tojustconstipation.
The allergist found that I was only allergic to dogs and horses, which ruled allergies out.
My PCP didnt seem too worried, so why should I be?
The lower right corner of my abdomen had also started to hurt.
I chalked it up to a hip flexor injury and started seeing a chiropractor for the pain.
I needed to have a colorectal surgeon take it off.
She didnt seem concerned, and I wasnt scared because I didnt think the growth was anything serious.
Do you hear me?
I was in a daze.
It was never a hemorrhoid.
I would need surgery to remove the tumor.
After surgery, I did a few sessions of intravenous chemotherapy to kill off any remaining microscopic cancer cells.
I had trouble tolerating the medications.
Fortunately, follow-up scans revealed I was in the clearthe cancer was gone.
Nine years (and a ton of scans) later, the cancer hasnt come back.
My digestive symptoms are about 80% better than they were before cancer.
I dont think you ever lose that worry or stop thinking about the what-ifs.
If I could go back to my younger self, I would have asked for a colonoscopy.
That could have changed everything.
Its not normal to be bloated, perpetually fatigued, or have difficulty going to the bathroom.
Blood in your stools is a cause for concern.
Research,ask questions, and meet with different doctors.
You are your own best advocate.
