I hade anal cancer stage 3C, HPV-16 mediated, for which I was treated with 5-FU, Mitomycin, and radiation. I had 2 metasises since over the course of 6 years.
My radiation oncologist was a very compassionate man who sat me down to tell me NEVER to be ashamed. So many people in the USA, over 90%, have been exposed to HPV that it's now just part of the human condition. The huge majority of the exposed never know, as an infection rarely causes an illness that is recognized. And anatomically, when women have intercourse with someone who is unwittingly infected, well - body fluids run downhill after all.
Anybody who tries to shame you should be left in your dust, ESPECIALLY medical professionals. Speak to their supervisors or the hospital's medical board or state medical board. Sic 'em!
I too have anal cancer. My treatment ended in December 2022. I will have a PET scan in ten days to see if it’s all gone. It’s been a very rough road. I am now left to deal with fecal incontinence from the radiation. My question to you is where did your cancer metastasize to? How did they treat it? How was it discovered?
I hade anal cancer stage 3C, HPV-16 mediated, for which I was treated with 5-FU, Mitomycin, and radiation. I had 2 metasises since over the course of 6 years.
My radiation oncologist was a very compassionate man who sat me down to tell me NEVER to be ashamed. So many people in the USA, over 90%, have been exposed to HPV that it's now just part of the human condition. The huge majority of the exposed never know, as an infection rarely causes an illness that is recognized. And anatomically, when women have intercourse with someone who is unwittingly infected, well - body fluids run downhill after all.
Anybody who tries to shame you should be left in your dust, ESPECIALLY medical professionals. Speak to their supervisors or the hospital's medical board or state medical board. Sic 'em!
I too have anal cancer. My treatment ended in December 2022. I will have a PET scan in ten days to see if it’s all gone. It’s been a very rough road. I am now left to deal with fecal incontinence from the radiation. My question to you is where did your cancer metastasize to? How did they treat it? How was it discovered?
Same here! I finished up with my treatment about a month ago. Dealing with fecal incontinence every day. I have read that this will go away in time. Hoping and praying it does. Why did they wait so long for your petscan? I was told I would have one within 3 months after treatment.
My first PET scan in March 3 months after treatment was completed. 50% of the cancer was still there. The doctors were not concerned. They said the treatment continues to work for 6 months after it’s completed. The 6 months are up next week and I will have another PET scan. I did have a colonoscopy two months ago and it showed the cancer was much smaller. I hopeful that it will be completely gone now. As far as the fecal incontinence, I have never read that it will go away in time. Once the sphincter muscle is damaged, it’s damaged for good. Where did you read that it is temporary? I would love to read that.
Same here! I finished up with my treatment about a month ago. Dealing with fecal incontinence every day. I have read that this will go away in time. Hoping and praying it does. Why did they wait so long for your petscan? I was told I would have one within 3 months after treatment.
I finished treatment on May 19th, & will be having a scan in August, however the oncologist said that often the cancer will not be gone at the 3 month scan, but they don’t do anything until after the 6 month scan, as the radiation keeps working. Maybe other doctors wait 6 months. Part of me is wondering why we aren’t waiting.
My first PET scan in March 3 months after treatment was completed. 50% of the cancer was still there. The doctors were not concerned. They said the treatment continues to work for 6 months after it’s completed. The 6 months are up next week and I will have another PET scan. I did have a colonoscopy two months ago and it showed the cancer was much smaller. I hopeful that it will be completely gone now. As far as the fecal incontinence, I have never read that it will go away in time. Once the sphincter muscle is damaged, it’s damaged for good. Where did you read that it is temporary? I would love to read that.
It was a comment on this site from another cancer survivor. I am also eating better, lots of veggies and drinking probiotics trying to get my body right. I guess all we can do is try and make the best of a bad situation!
It was a comment on this site from another cancer survivor. I am also eating better, lots of veggies and drinking probiotics trying to get my body right. I guess all we can do is try and make the best of a bad situation!
When I eat foods from a low residue diet, it seems they go right through me. Another words I have many bowel movements throughout the day. When I eat more veggies and fruit my bowel movements lessen as it takes longer to process this type of food. As far as managing I can feel when I need to get to the bathroom so I don’t have many accidents. Plus I have been taking stool softeners as I didn’t want the pain from hard stools. I am hoping once I stop those I will have more control. How do you manage?
When I eat foods from a low residue diet, it seems they go right through me. Another words I have many bowel movements throughout the day. When I eat more veggies and fruit my bowel movements lessen as it takes longer to process this type of food. As far as managing I can feel when I need to get to the bathroom so I don’t have many accidents. Plus I have been taking stool softeners as I didn’t want the pain from hard stools. I am hoping once I stop those I will have more control. How do you manage?
I have been wearing heavy sanitary pads 24/7. I am not always aware when I have to go. I spend a lot of time in the bathroom. No matter what I eat, I pretty much have the same results. I’ve always had a healthy diet. Now I have to think twice about having a salad. It frustrating. Sometimes when it gets to be too much to handle, I take 2 Imodium to slow things down. I don’t know what else to do.
I have been wearing heavy sanitary pads 24/7. I am not always aware when I have to go. I spend a lot of time in the bathroom. No matter what I eat, I pretty much have the same results. I’ve always had a healthy diet. Now I have to think twice about having a salad. It frustrating. Sometimes when it gets to be too much to handle, I take 2 Imodium to slow things down. I don’t know what else to do.
I too have anal cancer. My treatment ended in December 2022. I will have a PET scan in ten days to see if it’s all gone. It’s been a very rough road. I am now left to deal with fecal incontinence from the radiation. My question to you is where did your cancer metastasize to? How did they treat it? How was it discovered?
What a great doctor to have. Thank you for sharing these words.
Same here! I finished up with my treatment about a month ago. Dealing with fecal incontinence every day. I have read that this will go away in time. Hoping and praying it does. Why did they wait so long for your petscan? I was told I would have one within 3 months after treatment.
My first PET scan in March 3 months after treatment was completed. 50% of the cancer was still there. The doctors were not concerned. They said the treatment continues to work for 6 months after it’s completed. The 6 months are up next week and I will have another PET scan. I did have a colonoscopy two months ago and it showed the cancer was much smaller. I hopeful that it will be completely gone now. As far as the fecal incontinence, I have never read that it will go away in time. Once the sphincter muscle is damaged, it’s damaged for good. Where did you read that it is temporary? I would love to read that.
I finished treatment on May 19th, & will be having a scan in August, however the oncologist said that often the cancer will not be gone at the 3 month scan, but they don’t do anything until after the 6 month scan, as the radiation keeps working. Maybe other doctors wait 6 months. Part of me is wondering why we aren’t waiting.
It was a comment on this site from another cancer survivor. I am also eating better, lots of veggies and drinking probiotics trying to get my body right. I guess all we can do is try and make the best of a bad situation!
How are you controlling your fecal incontinence? My gastroenterologist put me on a low residue diet. It limits vegetables, fruits, no nuts, seeds.
When I eat foods from a low residue diet, it seems they go right through me. Another words I have many bowel movements throughout the day. When I eat more veggies and fruit my bowel movements lessen as it takes longer to process this type of food. As far as managing I can feel when I need to get to the bathroom so I don’t have many accidents. Plus I have been taking stool softeners as I didn’t want the pain from hard stools. I am hoping once I stop those I will have more control. How do you manage?
I have been wearing heavy sanitary pads 24/7. I am not always aware when I have to go. I spend a lot of time in the bathroom. No matter what I eat, I pretty much have the same results. I’ve always had a healthy diet. Now I have to think twice about having a salad. It frustrating. Sometimes when it gets to be too much to handle, I take 2 Imodium to slow things down. I don’t know what else to do.
I feel for you! I wear pads 24/7 also. Praying our situation gets better.