My first Cocker, Josh, developed a lump in the same place as Scoobie's when he was about 8 or 9 years old. I was horrified when I found it and, like you, I imagined all sorts of terrible things.
Josh's lump was an Anal Adenoma. It had to be removed because it could have become bigger and then would have bled and become infected, but it was harmless, definitely not cancerous. The vet also found that Josh had a benign but uncomfortable prostate condition. I can't remember the name of it but the decision was made to castrate him at the same time as removing the lump. He came through the double surgery with no problems, recovered quickly and went on to live until the grand old age of 16 years and 51 weeks with no further problems of that sort.
Another male dog on here, Woofie, had the same a couple of years ago and he was fine too. I think his mum doesn't come on COL anymore but I'll see if I can find her thread about Woofie and post a link to it.
Please try not to worry too much
easier said than done I know, and don't google it again, it really won't help. Hope it goes well at the vets on Monday and it's something like my Josh had.
