Stage 3b almost 6 years since treatment

pem
pem Member Posts: 81 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

hello All. Been a long time since I wrote in this board. But I do come in and read every so often. It’s been almost 6 years this march since treatment For me. I was given the all clear awhile ago. But my main issue that lurks in the shadows and my worry that never goes away is the still itch I get in my anal area. I know it’s a touchy subject and no one really wants to talk at all about it but please I need advIce. It gets the most itchy after a bowel movement and when I start to clean myself. It does bleed as well if I rub to hard with tissue. I’m always telling myself that its from radiation and my skin is still very sensitive. I will control myself and not scratch or rub and moments after the itchy feeling does go away but I believe it’s cancer just waiting to emerge again. Drs kept saying they can’t see or feel anything, and I’m hoping it good enough. I am requesting for my gyno to do a Pap smear in that area but she looked at me like it was a weird request And said will look into on how to do one on my visit in March. My question to all of you is what kind of testing can I do and is itching still an issue for any of you or did the itch go away completely. I’m tired of worring about this. Please any info will be great.  God bless 

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    edited February 2019 #2
    pem

    First of all, congrats on approaching the 6-year post-treatment mark!  I hope that, other than your concern about the itching, you are doing well.  I am over 10 years post-treatment now and I have episodes of itching.  I've never really become over-concerned about it, as I believe it's due to the skin in that area being fried by the radiation, which has made it more sensitive.  I notice the itching will flare up usually after I've had a bout of constipation or frequent and loose BM's.  I tend to think that our skin cells are never the same in that area after radiation treatment and are easily irritated.  That's just my opinion.  I had a colonoscopy in October, performed by my colorectal doctor who diagnosed the anal cancer back in 2008, and I know she took a good, thorough look at my anal area and anal canal.  So, with that said, I feel that the itching is just skin irritation and nothing else.  If you are concerned about it, keep asking your doctor to take a look and get the anal pap if possible.  I do not know how common it's becoming for doctor to do anal paps at this point in time, however.

    Take care and let us know what you find out after your appointment.  I hope this turns out to be nothing of concern.

  • Mollymaude
    Mollymaude Member Posts: 431 Member
    #3
    Itching

    I have itching and I’m three years out. After every shower I use coconut oil in my genital/anal area And that seems to help with itch.I still have random bleeding at times from vagina and anally. I think the skin is permanently changed after radiation- not a sign that cancer is coming back. Congratulations on six years! 

  • Ginkgo
    Ginkgo Member Posts: 13 Member
    #4
    Anal Itching

    Try a hydrocortisone creme.  I like this one:  Walgreens Hydrocortisone 1% Intensive Healing, which has extras like vitamins, chamomile and anti-oxidants.  It is used for anal itching; the directions are on the tube.  And, it works!

     

  • BirdGrrl
    BirdGrrl Member Posts: 10 Member
    #5
    Itching

    Congratulations on the six years, I will be there in June!

    I use an organic castor oil in that area every night before I go to bed. It prevents both pain and itching and if I have a bout of diarrhea, I apply some during the day. It can stain so be aware of that.

    Hope that helps and congratulations again!

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