Anal cancer - Newly diagnosed T2N1M0 40 years old!!

Hi, I am very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I felt similarly to you when diagnosed - I was only 32 last year when I first found out. I am coming up to nearly one year post surgery now, as I have Crohn’s I was not a good candidate for chemoradiotherapy. Whilst i cant comment on the treatment, I do understand feeling in the minority because of age and that felt like an even further blow to me. I do think that being younger helped me with recovery though and I am pleased to say I have been back at work for six months now and feel pretty normal most days. I hope for the same for you very soon!

I have just reread my response and would like to highlight that I absolutely don’t think it was ‘worse’ for me as a younger person, it just felt like I was unusual and seemed really just even more unfair. I feel my reply above sounded a bit self centred and genuinely think cancer is shitty whatever your age! Apologies if my previous reply was written in that way.

MrsKS

I thought your reply was lovely and helpful and not one bit self-centred. My heart always gives a lurch when I see folks so young faced with this. Yes, you do have the advantage of being likely to bounce back faster- but I think back to how BUSY I was as a young woman and mom, and can't imagine how I'd have dealt with it. It was hard enough at this stage, with only working PT and easily able to take off entirely for over 6 months, and my husband doing all my farm chores.

I'm SO glad you're mostly normal and have been back to work for so long! 

Hugs

Suz

Thought I'd pop up and say hi as I'm in the younger bracket for this cancer too. I'm 36. I finished treatment on 2nd July and my diagnosis was similar to yours but I was t4 because my cancer was on my vaginal wall. Happy to answer any questions or just to chat. It's hard to know what to expect from the treatment but my doctor said that our age helps our body cope with it and heal itself which is good. The treatment isn't pleasant but not everyone gets it as bad as others. Personally I did get sore but not bad enough to warrant any major pain relief. More uncomfortable than anything but my cancer was quite painful so not sure if I'd just got used to it! Let us know how we can help. Xxx

Hi hope you cope with the treatment and remember to ask anyytimeif your feeling down or need to offload remember were all at different stages and there is always someone to talk to and offer support xx