Excessive mucous in anal cancer

Hi Essie,

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Jo and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to hear that your Pops is struggling with excess mucous and pain following his stoma surgery for anal cancer, and appreciate that you would like to find some respite for his symptoms. This sounds like a difficult time for you both.

Unfortunately, as we are not part of the NHS here on the Macmillan support line, we don’t have access to your Pops medical records. It would therefore not be possible for us to give advice about the symptoms he is currently experiencing and ways to manage these.

I wonder whether you have spoken to his hospital team about this. If not, it would be advisable to do so. They are best placed to offer specific advice and support as they are familiar with your Pops cancer diagnosis and treatment and have access to his medical records. If he has a stoma nurse or clinical nurse specialist within his team, then you could give them a call in the first instance.

Alternatively, if these are new or worsening symptoms, an urgent medical assessment may be needed.

It can be challenging supporting someone close to you with cancer, so it’s important that you don’t feel alone in dealing with this. There are a number of ways that we here at Macmillan can offer help and support to both you and your Pops so do please get back in touch.

There is further information and support available through our online community, especially the anal cancer and ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy and any other stoma support forums. Also, through the Anal Cancer Foundation, Bowel Cancer UK and Bottom Line Anal Cancer Support charities.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch. You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best wishes,

Jo

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref: JD/KG