Recently diagnosed with Anal Squamous cell cancer

Hi One of Many, 

I had the same cancer but only had one infusion and 6 weeks of Chaemo/ radiotherapy.  Finished on the 5th January this year, I did not lose my hair it did get a little thinner.  The first thing I would tell you is don’t expect the first infusion to be on time, as they have to make up the dosage which the oncologist ordered and there will be quite a few also waiting so expect to be there for a few hours.  The radiotherapy doesn’t hurt  and they first tattoo where they are going to target. The cancer.  You have to be careful with the Chaemo tabs as they are quite potent wear gloves when taking them and keep well away from other people.   I personally didn’t have much in the way of after affect until 2 weeks into my treatment then I had some skin breakdown and needed medication to help.  The sits bath helps to keep you clean and soothe the skin.  After my treatment it took a good four weeks to start feeling comfortable.  Had many scans and Tests after treatment my last appointment was in June and the oncologist said they couldn’t see any cancer, go back on the 22nd November for physical examination and chat.  I have gone on a bit hope it helps.  It’s a trip into the unknown which is the scary part.  Good Luck xx

Hi one of many welcome to the club no one wants to join. I'm undergoing treatment at present and have 3 radiotherapy sessions left. My chemo regime was different I had mitomycin at the beginning and then 5 days at the beginning via a pump and 5 days last week. As I understand it some hospitals seem to do the oral chemo and some the pump. I was told that the treatment may make my head hair thin a bit, I think more hair has shred when brushing etc than normal but I'm pretty sure not enough for other people to notice. They did say that I would lose downstairs hair which I have lost some but I'm not bothered about that. My advice would be to get some water wipes in as you won't want regular toilet roll once you get into treatment.  I would also say anything you use or do that your medical team haven't said run it past them first as I was soaking in epsom salts and happened to mention it at my weekly progress appointment amd was told to stop.Good luck for Monday. Sending hugs. Xx

Hi, and welcome

I am 66  was treated three years ago on the similar meds as you - I just had one infusion at the beginning and then tablets to take at home. Didn't lose my hair, didn't really fancy much to eat but didn't lose any weight so must've managed! I didn't get marked up for radiotherapy, don't know why some do.

The thing I have learned is that although there are known side effects, we all react differently, so arm yourself with as much info as you can, but go with what your body tells you.

Use the radiotherapists, they have seen it all before and have a big range of creams and drugs to help as soon as you mention if something is uncomfortable or sore.

I ended up with bit of a sore bottom right at the end of my treatment, and the skin in my groin got a bit dry and burnt but nothing too awful. I drove myself an hour each way for radiotherapy and that was ok, I just had a sleep in the afternoon when I needed it.

My advice would be

1. Get a sitz bath, it will help keep you clean and you can 'go' into the water if it helps. I lso bought a Happy Po which is a portable bidet a little bigger than a toothbrush. You fill the tank with warm water and squeeze the water on to your bits, then you can pat dry.

2. Prepare food and snacks you like so that you don't have to think too much about it, or do too much shopping.

3. Maybe start moisturising your undercarriage now with E45 or something gentle, but don't apply just before treatment.

Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Thank you all for your helpful responses! It sounds like everyone on this string had similar chemo/radiation procedures although I have been told I will have two infusions not one. Did you all take the same oral chemo? Mine is called capecitabine (aka Xeloda) and the infusion is Mitomycin.

Yes, mine were the same drugs - one infusion of Mitomycin at the start, then Capecitabine tablets at home.

Hello One of many, and welcome to the forum.  You have already had the things I would have said were essential told to you by others so I won't repeat the.  But I just wanted to wish you the very best of luck in your treatment.

And count off those days.

Irene xx