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Mental health over physical health - just been diagnosed with rectal cancer, need to decide what to do next

Mariella007
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Hi guys 

I have recently been diagnosed with cancer in my rectum…..I’m 38 by the way. 
Today I saw my consultant and now I have to decide if I should go for TEMS surgery and monitoring or have a section of my bowel and the lymph nodes removed. Apparently there is no right or wrong answer to the route I choose, however I’m trying to balance having minimal surgery over the effects the monitoring will have on my mental health. Has this happened to anyone else? 

  • Hi Mariella and welcome to the forum.

    I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the difficult decision you now have to make about treatment.

    I hope this information we have about the different types of treatment you've been offered will help but if you would like to talk things through with someone then you're very welcome to give our cancer nurses a call on 0808 800 4040. Their phone lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they will do all they can to support you and help you figure out what is the best course of action for you.

    Hopefully some of our members who have been in a similar situation will share their thoughts, stories and advice with you soon as well.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

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