Rectal cancer diagnosis very low in the rectum

Posted by evo @evo, Apr 5 12:17pm

I have been diagnosed with a rectal cancer which is apparently very low and close to my anus. I am really scared of the thought I might be put on a bag. I don't know what stage yet reason been they can only tell you after they remove it. The CT and MRI scans show it hasn't spread to other organs apart from the tumor being very low in my rectum. I will be seeing the treatment team next week to discuss treatment plan and any suggestions or advice would be appreciated from people with this experience and knowledge. TIA.

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@verol65

For constipation, many take Miralax or psyllium husk (capsules or powder). For the abdominal pain, ask your doctor if Buscopan is an option for you. Trimebutine can help with the motility; again, you should ask your doctor.
Also, make sure you drink lots of water and eat lots of fiber in your food, starting with fruits and vegetables.

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A question: Is it permissible for a person with rectal cancer to eat milk and its derivatives or not? And another question: What are the types of vegetables and fruits allowed? Please answer. Thank you.

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@hhsn12211

A question: Is it permissible for a person with rectal cancer to eat milk and its derivatives or not? And another question: What are the types of vegetables and fruits allowed? Please answer. Thank you.

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Before treatment, usually a patient can keep eating their regular diet. Usually starting a couple of days before surgery, the patient is asked to eat low residue food and avoid dairy and irritating foods and drinks. During and after treatment, restrictions on the diet depend on the type of treatment.

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@hhsn12211

Hello, my mother has rectal cancer and was referred for radiochemotherapy. What are the effects of the treatment and another question: What food is she allowed to eat currently? She is 63 years old. Thank you.

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The effects vary from person to person.
As far as what food is she allowed to eat....that is something that needs to be discussed with her doctor

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Hello everyone, just have an appointment today and my cancer is stage 3 and because of how low is located in my rectum, surgery has been ruled out for now. I will be seeing an oncologist next week to discuss treatment which they're saying is gonna be radiotherapy or chemotherapy or both. Can people with experience of this advice or share their experience on what to do now to prepare for it and their own journeys as well?
Every little information can really help me. TIA

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@evo

Hello everyone, just have an appointment today and my cancer is stage 3 and because of how low is located in my rectum, surgery has been ruled out for now. I will be seeing an oncologist next week to discuss treatment which they're saying is gonna be radiotherapy or chemotherapy or both. Can people with experience of this advice or share their experience on what to do now to prepare for it and their own journeys as well?
Every little information can really help me. TIA

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I had a very low polyp, before we know it was cancer. I had a transanal resection. When the biopsy with the positive margins came out, the surgeon said she would not operate again, not to put the sphincter at risk. The oncologist said the same thing. I had RT + Xeloda on the days of the RT sessions.

When I developed a recto-vaginal fistula, my original surgeon offered a solution I didn't like and I went for a second and third opinion. The latter two asked for a colonoscopy first, which found a new polyp facing the fistula, both close to the sphincter. The surgeon of the second opinion said he would have operated again after the transanal resection and taken a wait-and-see attitude on the RT. I ended up having a resection of the rectum, mesorectum and sigmoid to get rid of the fistula and polyp, to reduce my risk of having new fistulas and polyps and so reduce the risk of a renewed cancer. When they reached the fistula during the surgery, they found it to have expanded so much it touched the sphincter. They had zero margin for the resection which made it very complicated. Now living without rectum and sigmoid is an enormous change in one's life.

If you can afford it, get a second opinion.

To prepare for treatment, ask all the questions you can think of about how it will be, the side-effects everybody gets and potential side effects not everyone gets.
If you get radiotherapy, be assured that you will suffer from burnt skin. Prepare by moisterizing the perianal and buttcheek area with aloevera for example and get ointments or creams for burns, like Cicalfate+. Be prepared to feel ever more tired as the sessions progress. Make sure you will have the opportunity to rest well at night and take naps during the day. Exercising can help with that.

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