Hello Dolittle, 

Thank you for sharing your journey. It's great that your GP was straight on it and you got a 2 week referral as well as all the required tests. It all moved really fast which is really good. 

I am sorry though that all these tests led to an anal cancer diagnosis but it looks like you are in very capable hands and that they have been very efficient. I hope that you find out all the details soon as to what your treatment plan will involve. We have in-depth information on our website on anal cancer which includes a section on treatment for anal cancer. 

You did well to phone your contact when you didn't hear back yesterday - I hope they have managed to chase it up for you and that you can start your treatment soon. As you say, it's important to try and stay calm - even though it is by no means easy - when waiting for results or treatment. There are helpful tips on this page to help you cope while waiting for important news. 

If there is anything you would like to ask our nurses at any point, feel free to give them a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

Hopefully you will hear from other forum members who have been diagnosed with anal cancer and they will be along shortly to share their story with you. 

Best of luck for your treatment. I hope it all goes well for you. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thankyou.

thankyou

Hi dolittle 

Hi hope everthing goes well with you.i was diagnosed with anal cancer at the start of 2019 ,I was lucky to be  able to meet with consultants during covid lock down,I dont know how to relate to you about your diagnosis .I only know what I went through everyone is different .had the best of care "still ongoing"iwent through chemoradiation therapy,Unlucky for me didnt work had apr surgery cancer gone ,stll worrird anal cancer is still arare cancer 

Hi ,I'm sorry your treatment wasn't a success,and it must've been really hard what with covid restrictions,I hope the next part of your journey is a success.Im just at the stage where I've been referred onto another hospital for the radiotherapy I was told chemo radiation,but I'm just waiting for all that to be put in place,I don't feel ill ,I was tired but have had two iron infusions,.Since my biopsy for some reason it's easier having a bowel movement(although each time is different)I purchased Movicol sachets (plain)on advice from my contact nurse,I've experimented ,and found I only need one in the evening and it's easy to have a bowel movement now.Its the unknown that's a worry what to expect etc.Im a positive person and if you can prepare me for what to expect it would be a great help (if you don't want to that's fine)may I wish you all the best .I hope we are ,and anyone else going through this come through it.

I can not give you a stage?I have only been told after my biopsy it is 4.5cm it is very low down(which is good)and it has not spread?so I'm at the part now whilst I await either,letter,phone call ,email(I'm not even sure how the treatment Hospital will contact me)I was told if it'd been higher it would mean an operation,but they sounded confident chemo radiotherapy for 5 days a week for 5 weeks is the way forward)my time frame from visiting my GP Jan 20th(lots in-between)..24 th April biopsy.10th May diagnosis..just waiting now..oh I'm 64(never been ill quite active,walking cycling)so it's been a shock,but I'm positive and carrying on as normal 

Hello Dolittle.

I have a similar story. Blood found in fit test, colonoscopy found 3 tumours. 2 taken out on day, third left in as 25mm mid rectal tumour diagnosed. Had MRI and CT which showed cell division. Biopsy taken showed cancer. Had low anterior resection which took half the rectum, and the sigmoid colon out. This left me with an ileostomy bag. 4.5 cm is big. It's location in the rectum is Not good, I was told that. Seems as though they want to try to shrink before removal. You have 3 valves in your rectum to hold back contents. If these get damaged or removed, you can loose control of you bowl movement. I'd be looking for clarity on their plan of attack. Start revising this subject, ask questions, knowledge is power.

Good luck

Paul

Thanks for your honest reply.,because it's lower than rectum I thought they'd just shrink it obviously when I get my treatment appointment they may give me more info.I will put a follow on post on ,once I know more .I guess sorting my plan out will take time.(in a perfect world you think ok I've got cancer two week fast track,then treatment..)but it's not a perfect world and I know how the NHS is struggling so ...just be patient and keep positive.

Hi .you asked if I knew what stage?It had never been mentioned ,I only knew 4.5 cm,I'm still waiting to know when the radio therapy will start .I did ask my contact at the hospital if there was a stage/grade?so thankyou for asking I thought they just tell you everything but I do believe if you want to know you've got to ask.I appreciate some people don't want to know,but I want to know the good the bad and the ugly.So when I asked they told me T3 N1 ,and explained it to me,I since read up on it,so just waiting now for my treatment schedule