Follow up appointment

Hi Squeak. 

I was told I would have scans every 3 months for 5 years so far I've had the 3 and 6 month ones waiting on appointment for 9 months. My oncologist did say they might increase the time between scans and i have read on here of that happening. Im sure the cream will take care of your skin cancer. If you are worried about anything re the anal cancer and scans give your specialised nurse a ring, I ring mine and they are more than happy to help. Sending hugs. Xx

Hello Squeak

As Bungle said I don't think you are done with scans just yet!  They will keep on checking you , they may add a bit more time between each scan (ie more than three months) and some hospitals, if everything is clear at the three year scan, totally sign you off any more treatment.  Others carry on for five years.

I also had a skin cancer diagnosis not long before my treatment started; basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a very small lesion on my chest which would refused to heal.  I had the cream too, and although it looked a bit angry for a while it did the trick and I have never had any problems since.  If you have BCC please don't worry, it really is easily treatable and absolutely nothing like anal cancer!  In fact, my father-in-law had them crop up all his life and used to go to hospital and they would burn them off (painlessly).

We all sometimes block things out when talking to the oncologist, I know I did!

Irene xx

Hi Squeak,

I had one scan at six months, and after that just regular (3 months then 6 months) appointments with oncologist and he just has a feel of my groin for lymph nodes and the lovely DRE. 

I think it must depend on the hospital you are treated in. I have two more appointments to go and then I am five years clear, but after that three month scan the oncologist told me I was done with scans and there has been no mention since. You could ask someone from your medical team - I remember when I was told how the treatment plan would go I was just overwhelmed, and decided I would just wait for each appointment as it came, so the staff understand how confusing it can be for us and I'm sure they'd be happy to clarify this to ease your mind.

My only experience of skin cancer like the one you have was a friend who developed a patch on her nose. When she told me she had been given chemotherapy cream I was amazed but sure enough after a few weeks it was completely gone. I believe it is the same chemo drug that we have (5FU/capecitabine) which I guess is logical enough.

Do stay in touch with your medical staff, they are there to help and will be more than happy to reassure you and answer any questions.

Take care xxx

Hi Squeak , 

I had MRI and full body CT at 6 months , then I think I get seen every 3 months for DRE . Oncologist said I’d have another full body CT after a year but no more MRI’s . 
I also have to have yearly colonoscopies or Sigmoidoscopy as they removed 2 polyps at my pre treatment colonoscopy which had highly displasic cells . So that is giving me anxiety and I’m trying to get my gut as healthy as possible .

i feel more anxious now than I did during the treatment .

Hope your skin heals up soon with no problems .

best wishes

Sharon