topic Re: Anal Cancer in Living with cancer

Anal Cancer

benlisecca — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:02:37 GMT

Hi Everyone, I thought I would post here in the hope of finding someone else with the same cancer.....1 is the loneliest number ....isn't that how it goes I was diagnosed with anal cancer on the 3rd November 2008 and like all of you it has been a huge emotional rollercoaster but after all the chemo and radiation I had my last treatment this afternoon. Probably why I am up at this hour writing in a forum...too buzzed to sleep and too busy celebrating (if only in my mind).I've been reading the forum for the cervical cancer ladies as although our treatments are slightly different the areas of radiation and the effects are very similar. With treatment over I now have to look at how to minimise the long term effects so I'm doing a lot of reading , trying to sort out what is relevant..... what is useful. The HPV that is responsible for cervical cancer is the exact same little blighter that causes anal cancer, it just picked a different spot to fester. My tumour was T3N0 which means that it over 5cm - but thankfully hadn't spread to anywhere else. So now the treatment is over that will be the end of it - there is no other option - I can feel it shrinking away as I type , I just have a 3 month wait until they run all the tests and tell me that it has disappeared. I feel so great that all the trips to the hospital are over, my butt although fried will recover, and I have a very long and wonderful life to look forward to. I do feel a bit like I've been set adrift as I don't see a doctor for 6 weeks but I'm sure I will get used to it. Anyway, i could prattle on for ages and I hope that no one out there has my cancer but if you do then I hope I will hear from you (or anyone who is up for a chat).Sharon

Anal Cancer

strong — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:03:37 GMT

Hi Sharon - Claudia here( we wrote via Bev a few days ago). I know how you feel when you think there is no one else with anal cancer but I am sure there will be answers for you. My husband had anal cancer but only discovered it too late - had surgery + chemo and radio. This was way back in early 90's so I think advances have been made since then. Be strong my dear especially as you are young and have a young family. miracles can and do happen. I will continue to write to you privately via email. cheers claudia

Anal Cancer

benlisecca — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:04:37 GMT

Thanks for words of support Claudia, I have been slack in getting back to you. Many apologies. Where do the days go! I just thought I would get on here to just update things a bit. I finished my treatment about 7 weeks ago and so far so good. The skin has mostly healed though my butt is very tender and things just wont ever be the same but I can get used to the "new me!" At least I have skin now I had my 6 week post treatment check up last week and it's all wonderful. The doc had a check and she can not find any evidence of a tumour, not even a hard patch where it once was. To say that I am ecstatically happy is a huge understatement. I have scans in 3 months time and that will make me feel much more confident in the outcome. The pain and the indignity of the treatment have been SO worth it! A huge thank you to all my amazing friends here - you guys are just so special, you have made the journey that little bit easier

Re: Anal Cancer

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:36:51 GMT

hi, I've just been diagnosed with anal cancer, I get a CT scan tomorrow to plan treatment and see is there are any other cancer sites. The cancer bump is 1.5 CM, so that is grade 1. I loved that you said "The pain and the indignity of the treatment have been SO worth it!" . I worry about the treatment, the chemo isn't the main concern because that seems to have an end time for most of the side effects. it's the radiotherapy that has me really worried. so hearing someone sy it is worth is is really precious. My bum hurts heaps now.. any ideas about pain management.. when I first noticed problems we all thought it was a cut and fix it issue. Pain had an easy end date. This is different I know it will probably get worse before it gets better and I'm "over it". I breathe through motions but afterwards it seems to take over, A hotwater bottle to change the site of sensation helped yesterday. I'll keep using that cheers Jan

Re: Anal Cancer

benlisecca — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:30:23 GMT

Hi jan, I have just PM'd you but thought I would write here as well. I am now 2 years out from treatment and it all seems just a distant memory. The cancer is gone and it just isn't game to come back 🙂 I have just had my 2 year check and it's all clear. Xylocaine is great - I think it's just over the counter from the chemist???? If that isn't strong enough then there is another one available thru the doctor but I can't remember the name...push your doctor for it if you need it. I bought salt by the kilo (literally!)and almost lived in the salt baths thru treatment, it seemed to dull the pain for the time I sat in the water. I know it sounds like the salt would sting but it was sooo soothing. A sitz bath really. I'm sorry to say that it may get worse before it gets better but treatment effects everyone so differently and you could cruise thru. You will look back in 3 months and think "wow! I've done it!" The skin does heal reasonably quickly so keep focused on the light at the end of the tunnel...it is there however dim it might seem at times. Keep in touch. We are here if you need to talk. Best wishes Sharon xxxxx

Re: Anal Cancer

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:34:36 GMT

Xylocaine, also called lignocine. totally wonderful. Sitting watching TV and doing this without even an itch. I know it won't last long but gosh it is sooo nice to get a rest. Wooo hooo!

Re: Anal Cancer

craftyone — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:59:08 GMT

Jan, Good to hear that you had a good rest, hopefully you will have a "manageable" Christmas. My christmas wish to you is cure and good health for next year!!! craftyone

Re: Anal Cancer

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 02:51:10 GMT

Colorectal cancer mystery solved Danny Rose, AAP Medical Writer January 17, 2011 - 1:44PM AAP Australian research has identified a defective gene which explains why some colourectal cancer patients respond very well to radiotherapy but others not at all. Sydney-based scientists have examined the role played by the gene MCC which, in earlier work, in 2007, they found was awry in around half of all cases of colon and rectal cancer. The defective gene was a "double-edged sword", said Dr Laurent Pangon, as it appeared to both encourage a tumour to develop but also make these less resistant and easier to kill off with radiotherapy. Advertisement: Story continues below "Our findings show that MCC appears to be involved at a kind of DNA damage checkpoint, when the cell recognises that there is DNA damage and that it needs to do something to correct it," Dr Pangon said on Monday. "If you lose MCC therefore you lose the ability of the cell to repair DNA damage ... and cancer would probably develop." Dr Pangon, working along with Dr Maija Kohonen-Corish also from the Garvan Institute for Medical Research, studied how 200 colourectal cancer patients responded to their treatment. While surgical removal is the primary way to combat these cancers, patients can also undergo anti-cancer therapies to kill off any cancer cells left behind or tumours which surgeons could not reach. Dr Pangon said those patients with a defective MCC gene were found to have a much improved response to radiotherapy, and some types of chemotherapy, as their tumours were much less resistant to treatment. That is because those therapies kill cancer cells through inducing DNA damage and if the DNA damage response of the tumour is already defective, the therapies work better," he said. "Our study has the potential to provide a scientific explanation as to why some patients respond to treatment better than others." The researchers also developed a test which can identify those colourectal cancer patients who have the defective gene, and so those who do not and were best diverted to alternative therapies. It is part of the new frontier in cancer treatment, in which a patient's genetic make-up can point doctors to the anti-cancer treatment most likely to work. The research is published online by the journal Genes and Cancer. "This study is important for colon cancer but even more important for rectal cancer, because rectal cancer has a real disparity when it comes to radiotherapy which is not well explained," Dr Pangon said. "Some patients do really well, and others don't respond at all." © 2011 AAP

Re: Anal Cancer

Jules2 — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:52:57 GMT

Hey Ms Jan Glad you are getting some relief ... dont forget the value of saline water baths. I found saline water to be so soothing and did it daily, along with honey - which might be a tad more difficult for you to use. Julie

Re: Anal Cancer

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:34:46 GMT

I'm starting treatment this week. Going off to the treatment centre with, juicer, TV, big bag of salt, zylocaine, some herbal soothing vaginal pessaries, and two jars of manuka honey. I couldn't remember who used the honey so i'm glad you sent this post. 🙂 did you eat it, smear it on the target area or both? Waas that before or after treatment sessions? I think that the attitude of the staff at this hospital is that if we want to do things that make us feel good and do no harm then it is fully supported. About zylocaine, I got it in a pack. "Lidnocaine" with urethral applicator. It is 10 ml in a syringe,with a slim tip that's much easier to self administer than the "ultraproct" in a tube. This might be useful information for anyone with ulcers in hard to reach places. Cheers Jan

Re: Anal Cancer

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:36:52 GMT

I'm starting treatment this week. Going off to the treatment centre with, juicer, TV, big bag of salt, zylocaine, some herbal soothing vaginal pessaries, and two jars of manuka honey. I couldn't remember who used the honey so i'm glad you sent this post. 🙂 did you eat it, smear it on the target area or both? Was that before or after treatment sessions? I think that the attitude of the staff at this hospital is that if we want to do things that make us feel good and do no harm then it is fully supported. About zylocaine, I got it in a 12 pack. "Lignocaine" with urethral applicator. It is 10 ml in a syringe,with a slim tip that's much easier to self administer than the "ultraproct" in a tube. This might be useful information for anyone with ulcers in hard to reach places. Cheers Jan

Re: Anal Cancer

Jules2 — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:44:42 GMT

Hey Jan I put the honey on my skin and it helped with healing and burning. Don't forget some light reading matter for your sitting around times. 🙂 I would do my repair things after treatment. Before treatment it was just a shower and get dressed and then head off for 3 or 4 hours. THat is just the length of time it took to get there and back again, for a 10 min treatment. Then as soon as I got home I would strip off and start the saline water soaks and then smear the honey on and then head for the shower. At one stage I actually used oatmeal and honey to put on my scalp as I had a really bad rash reaction from one of my treatemnts. Julie ps ... good that you are sharing the useful stuff 🙂

Re: Anal Cancer

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:24:12 GMT

re honey.. I couldn't quite imagine what the radiation staff would say if I turned up coated with honey!! Thanks for the practical advice. I'm not sure if there is a bath there, if not I have friends who I can go to in the evenings. As well as taking books, I'm also making crochet scarves for something to do in the quiet times. cheers jan

Re: Anal Cancer

Jules2 — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:27:19 GMT

lol turning up coated in honey. Would create a stir am sure. :) I had my knitting and a few others that were staying at the same place as I did used to share patterns. We would scour the internet for different patterns and take walks together and built up quite a few relationships and am still in touch with about five people. Reminds me, think i owe a couple a phone call ooops Julie

Re: Anal Cancer

samex — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:48:28 GMT

Perhaps this is because it is late at night, so I apologise ahead of time if I offend. I thought there was enough black humour with bowel cancer - fart jokes, toilet talk etc. But I'm sorry, you girls and the honey images take the prize. Only cancer patients can laugh as well at themselves I believe. Take care Jan. I hope it goes as well as can be expected. That doesn't sound righ but you know what I mean. Samex

Re: Anal Cancer

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:22:59 GMT

big grins.. totally no offense

Re: Anal Cancer

Heidsta — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 03:12:17 GMT

Hi Jules2,

I'm new here & am 8wks post pelvic chemoradiotherapy treatment for T4 anal cancer. Am still doing small dressings on a few stubborn spots in my 'crevices' & applying pure sorbelline cream to the newly healed skin as this is all I've been 'prescribed' by the radiotherapy nurses. I am intrigued to know whether you used the Manuka honey throughout your entire treatment & recovery, & if you used anything else like MooGoo? Thanks. 🙂