Table 1.

Patients' questionnaire with given answers

1.	Which symptom, sign or cause prompted you to seek help in our outpatient clinic? (Mark as many items as apply)
	anal bleeding - in toilet paper, faeces or lavatory
	anal itch
	anal pain or discomfort
	anal burning (baking)
	anal soreness
	anal lump
	faecal soiling
	anal weeping
	anal mucous
	anal incontinence
	dubious abdominal pain
	constipation
	diarrhoea
	faecal occult blood test (FOBT)
	dubious anaemia
	screening colonoscopy
	elevation of tumour markers
2.	How long have you suffered from these symptoms or signs?
	up to one week
	two to four weeks
	two to twelve months
	I do not have any signs or symptoms
3.	Did you treat yourself or seek help from a doctor?
	I treated myself without the help of a doctor
	At first I treated myself then I looked for help from a doctor
	I immediately looked for help from a doctor