what caused this?

janke
janke Member Posts: 29
in Anal Cancer #1
I have read some other opinions. Has anyone taken prescription meds. for GERD? Not to use brand names but you know the acid reducers? And how many of us suffer from IBS prior to this diagnosis? Just wonder is that may be a factor.

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    GERD
    I take Prevacid occasionally. I have not suffered from IBS.
  • Memphis Mary 49
    Memphis Mary 49 Member Posts: 52
    #3
    No IBS or GERD meds
    I have never taken acid reducers, or had IBS. I had chronic constipation, managed as best as I could with stool softeners.
  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #4
    ibs
    i have never had IBS. had major constipation once and it seems to have started all of my troubles with pain, bleeding etc. got dx 1.5 years after. sephie
  • Memphis Mary 49
    Memphis Mary 49 Member Posts: 52
    #5
    Another question for the group
    Is anyone diagnosed with anal cancer a health care provider that handles/handled chemotherapy on a regular basis?

    I gave alot of heavy duty chemo in our Bone Marrow Transplant department from 1996 - 2005. I wore gloves, was careful and washed my hands constantly. I am now a supervisor and still around it, but not directly handling it anymore. I did some research (CDC/NIOSH) and there is a good bit of literature on increased risk of cancer from direct contact as well as contact with residues left on workstations, keyboards, desk tops etc. These nurses had trace amounts of chemo in their urine and blood.

    So, I have to ask if any of you are pharmacists, nurses, physicians etc that were exposed long term to chemotherapy?

    I am considering leaving a great job of 15 years out of sheer fear of continued exposure...
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #6
    Memphis Mary 49 said:

    Another question for the group
    Is anyone diagnosed with anal cancer a health care provider that handles/handled chemotherapy on a regular basis?

    I gave alot of heavy duty chemo in our Bone Marrow Transplant department from 1996 - 2005. I wore gloves, was careful and washed my hands constantly. I am now a supervisor and still around it, but not directly handling it anymore. I did some research (CDC/NIOSH) and there is a good bit of literature on increased risk of cancer from direct contact as well as contact with residues left on workstations, keyboards, desk tops etc. These nurses had trace amounts of chemo in their urine and blood.

    So, I have to ask if any of you are pharmacists, nurses, physicians etc that were exposed long term to chemotherapy?

    I am considering leaving a great job of 15 years out of sheer fear of continued exposure...

    I never had IBS diagnosed,
    I never had IBS diagnosed, although I had a lot of stomach and bowel issues for several years prior to treatment. LOTS of constipation. Never took anything like Prevacid prior to treatment.

    No exposure to chemo drugs. I did work with chemicals back in my 20's, mostly acids and acetone. I'm sorry, Mary, that you're thinking of leaving your job. But I can understand your concern.
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #7
    Yes to omeprazole. Generic
    Yes to omeprazole. Generic name. MANY years..also GERD, IBS, ulcer.......LOTS of stress. I have quit trying to figure out why until I get through whatever treatments I have....I am afraid I will find out it is something I did out of ignorance.....
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #8
    Memphis Mary 49 said:

    Another question for the group
    Is anyone diagnosed with anal cancer a health care provider that handles/handled chemotherapy on a regular basis?

    I gave alot of heavy duty chemo in our Bone Marrow Transplant department from 1996 - 2005. I wore gloves, was careful and washed my hands constantly. I am now a supervisor and still around it, but not directly handling it anymore. I did some research (CDC/NIOSH) and there is a good bit of literature on increased risk of cancer from direct contact as well as contact with residues left on workstations, keyboards, desk tops etc. These nurses had trace amounts of chemo in their urine and blood.

    So, I have to ask if any of you are pharmacists, nurses, physicians etc that were exposed long term to chemotherapy?

    I am considering leaving a great job of 15 years out of sheer fear of continued exposure...

    Mary
    Mary, before you quit your job, are there others who have had a cancer dx or illness of any kind, that have the same type of exposure that you have? I would hate for you to leave a great job without having all the facts. I wish you well. Lori
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #9
    Lorikat said:

    Yes to omeprazole. Generic
    Yes to omeprazole. Generic name. MANY years..also GERD, IBS, ulcer.......LOTS of stress. I have quit trying to figure out why until I get through whatever treatments I have....I am afraid I will find out it is something I did out of ignorance.....

    Lorikat
    It won't be anything you did out of ignorance. Look at how many people would have cancer due to ignorance, lol. I wish you well, and don't be so hard on yourself. You will get through this, and we will help you. Lori.
  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #10
    Lorikat said:

    Yes to omeprazole. Generic
    Yes to omeprazole. Generic name. MANY years..also GERD, IBS, ulcer.......LOTS of stress. I have quit trying to figure out why until I get through whatever treatments I have....I am afraid I will find out it is something I did out of ignorance.....

    not ignorance
    nothing any of us did out of ignorance caused this. we live our lives and learn . docs are learning. what ever the reasons are for us having this, we can help others. if we find out something that we did was stupid, well then, we will scream it to others so they will not do it. we could all be hit by a truck tomorrow so let us LIVE and laugh. hard to do sometimes but at least a try. hugs to all of us sephie
  • Memphis Mary 49
    Memphis Mary 49 Member Posts: 52
    #11
    z said:

    Mary
    Mary, before you quit your job, are there others who have had a cancer dx or illness of any kind, that have the same type of exposure that you have? I would hate for you to leave a great job without having all the facts. I wish you well. Lori

    Yes
    Lori, there are so many I am almost losing count. One lymphoma stage 4, a liver ca (died), a sinus ca (died), 2 breast ca (mastectomies), thyroid ca.... That is why I am getting scared.
  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member
    #12
    Nexium/Pantoprazole
    I have Gerd and have taken Nexium and am now taking a generic equivalent Pantoprazole.
  • Memphis Mary 49
    Memphis Mary 49 Member Posts: 52
    #13
    z said:

    Mary
    Mary, before you quit your job, are there others who have had a cancer dx or illness of any kind, that have the same type of exposure that you have? I would hate for you to leave a great job without having all the facts. I wish you well. Lori

    Yes
    Lori, there are so many I am almost losing count. One lymphoma stage 4, a liver ca (died), a sinus ca (died), 2 breast ca (mastectomies), thyroid ca.... That is why I am getting scared. Oh, I almost forgot, another anal ca too. What are the chances of that?! She works in a different but connected building. The cafeteria is the common area where patients and all employees cross paths.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #14
    Memphis Mary 49 said:

    Yes
    Lori, there are so many I am almost losing count. One lymphoma stage 4, a liver ca (died), a sinus ca (died), 2 breast ca (mastectomies), thyroid ca.... That is why I am getting scared. Oh, I almost forgot, another anal ca too. What are the chances of that?! She works in a different but connected building. The cafeteria is the common area where patients and all employees cross paths.

    Mary
    Wow Mary, Now you have to look at the statistics for these types of cancers out of how many hundreds of people. I know where I work we have about 2000 employees locally and people will die of cancer almost yearly. I certainly understand your concern.
  • janke
    janke Member Posts: 29
    #15
    mxperry220 said:

    Nexium/Pantoprazole
    I have Gerd and have taken Nexium and am now taking a generic equivalent Pantoprazole.

    what caused this
    For such a rare cancer sure seems there are alot of us with this. I just wondered about digestive issues and medicines. I have has issues since childhood with GERD, IBS or colitis, chronic constipation. And as an adult I have been on meds. for a VERY long time, Zelnorm, Prevacid, Nexium, various laxitives. I am a very health person other that that. I do know one of the long term side effects of the acid reducers can be stomach cx. And GI doc after GI doc has told me the cure out weigh the risk. But I just wonder if some of that medicine is residual in our colons. I don't really want to dwell on what caused this for myself, but for someone else I would sure like to spare them the pain. And as I have stated earlier, none of my doctors are concerned about prior history. So much for research.
  • duckyann
    duckyann Member Posts: 159
    #16
    janke said:

    what caused this
    For such a rare cancer sure seems there are alot of us with this. I just wondered about digestive issues and medicines. I have has issues since childhood with GERD, IBS or colitis, chronic constipation. And as an adult I have been on meds. for a VERY long time, Zelnorm, Prevacid, Nexium, various laxitives. I am a very health person other that that. I do know one of the long term side effects of the acid reducers can be stomach cx. And GI doc after GI doc has told me the cure out weigh the risk. But I just wonder if some of that medicine is residual in our colons. I don't really want to dwell on what caused this for myself, but for someone else I would sure like to spare them the pain. And as I have stated earlier, none of my doctors are concerned about prior history. So much for research.

    I have IBS but do not take
    I have IBS but do not take meds for it. I often wondered if that contributed to me getting this.
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #17
    Memphis Mary 49 said:

    Yes
    Lori, there are so many I am almost losing count. One lymphoma stage 4, a liver ca (died), a sinus ca (died), 2 breast ca (mastectomies), thyroid ca.... That is why I am getting scared. Oh, I almost forgot, another anal ca too. What are the chances of that?! She works in a different but connected building. The cafeteria is the common area where patients and all employees cross paths.

    You have time to think about all this

    My thoughts on this are to take whatever medical leave you have while thinking this through. Those numbers are pretty staggering. I am rethinking everything and re-appreciating everything. I have put both my jobs on hold until January. One of them caused me real tears as I wanted to come back in September, but because I am so anemic, decided I need to protect my immune system a little longer. Whever it came from, the immune system is the key to protection from the outcome of these things.

    Good luck and God Bless you.

    Fondly,
    Sandy

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