'Dr Butthole' reveals warning sign that could lead to a scary ‘silent disease’
A leading medic, who has been dubbed 'Dr Butthole', has shared a seemingly normal occurrence that could be a sign of something serious.
Dr Evan Goldstein has been given the title of 'the bottom whisperer' due to his expertise and being one of the leading anal surgeons in the US, joking that this would be a compliment 'only in his field'.
But while he likes to use the humour to make his work easier, that doesn't mean that he doesn't take things very seriously, and he's issued a warning about anal cancer - a form of cancer which has one particularly alarming characteristic.
Whereas lung cancer might be spotted through a new persistent cough, or you may find a lump in the breast or testicles for other forms, anal cancer often does not have many noticeable symptoms at first.
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This can mean that by the time someone spots the condition it can already have reached a stage where it is a lot more difficult to deal with.
But fortunately, 'Dr Butthole' is here with some warning signs to look out for.
Speaking to the New York Post, he explained: "Anal cancer stems from the HPV virus and, for many, from the development of anal warts."
This is corroborated by the NHS, which explains that human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 'most' instances of anal cancer.
HPV can be transmitted through any skin-to-skin contact in the genitals and the anus, including sharing sex toys and oral sex.
The majority of people who have HPV do not develop cancer, however around 90 percent of people who do develop the cancer have HPV.
It works because HPV strains can alter anal cells which can in turn lead to precancerous lesions, and then cancer if these aren't treated.
So if you spot the warts on your bum, then this may be a sign of HPV, though Dr Goldstein said that many people might dismiss them as just spots or rashes.
"Many think they are just skin tags and then find out it’s anal warts from HPV," Dr Goldstein said. "They can be painful and itchy and lead to bleeding."
What are the main symptoms of anal cancer?
Keeping an eye on your stool is another import thing with anal cancer, though the symptoms can be similar to anal fissures and haemorrhoids, making them 'hard to spot' according to the NHS.
More telltale symptoms also include bleeding from the rectum, an itchy or painful anus, mucus discharge from your bum, or small lump around and inside your bum.
Incontinence may also be a sign, as well as having a looser stool.
Dr Goldstein said: "The idea is to catch this early with early detection anal pap smears and full anoscopy (in and out visualisation with a camera and high-resolution scope) with an appropriate anal practitioner.
"The more we talk about anal health and standardise yearly evaluations, similar to gynaecology appointments, the better all of us will be."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Kit Roberts