Hi everyone.
I am 24 and just over 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with de rectal cancer. For someone my age this is considered 'rare' however the rates in young people are increasing.
The doctors think we have caught this early so I'm lucky, but I'm still in the early stages and my surgeon is on annual leave so I haven't acrually been called in fwce to face yet with him. I've had MRI and CT scan which were clear. Two lymph nodes flagged up on the MRI however the radiologists aren't concerned about this, and the MDT have confirmed we're going ahead with minimally invasive surgery which is only used in early cases.
I'm fully prepared (I think) for the idea of more major surgery and potentially chemo but I'm hoping I don't have to go through chemo. I will refuse radiation if it's offered as for me the cons outweigh the pros but don't think this will happen as my polyp is small enough to be removed by TEMs (3cm).
The point of this post is, if you are currently going through cancer in your 20s, or you was diagnosed in your 20s, how are/did you cope?
My main concern is fertility as I have a long term partner and we wanted to start a family in a few years. If chemo is required I will freeze embroys but hoping because I am so young I can bounce back from treatment and I will be able to conceive naturally.
Sending love to anyone gping through this hell