Do you ever wonder what caused it?

Hi betula,

With my husband the cause from his rectal cancer is from crohn's disease, that he had since his 19 yo (now his 55 yo).  That polyps, growth around his rectal area (in and outside area). 

SandiaBuddy said:

Beer

Jim:  I lost my taste for beer on Xeloda/Capecitabine as well.  I bought a six pack more than a month ago and I have only managed to drink three.  I was wondering if anyone else experienced this?  And does the taste come back?  I actually like beer as a treat and I am sad to have lost my taste for it.

I haven't started treatment yet, but my radiation oncologist told me that drinking a glass of wine every day improves the effectivity of radiation. Anybody else heard this? I was excited about this, until I read this post....What is my tastebuds can't stand the taste of wine! 

darcher said:

My suspicion is it's mostly

My suspicion is it's mostly genetic and perhaps a few other things pitch in to move it along.  My dad had it at 70 and survived with just an operation. That was 18 years ago.  Me, I got it much younger but my stressful life for the past 20 years helped it pop up much sooner.  Which, in a way is a good thing.  I'd rather get it now when my body is more than capable of dealing with the radiation and chemo than later on when I'd end up a bed ridden bowl of mush. It hasn't all been easy but there have been far more good days than bad.  Avodiing what I call the mental state of the cancer pit is to have something that keeps us busy and focused.  Like that biblical prophecy of idle hands being the devil's workshop, so to is the blank mind the playground of cancer.

 

Avodiing what I call the mental state of the cancer pit is to have something that keeps us busy and focused.  Like that biblical prophecy of idle hands being the devil's workshop, so to is the blank mind the playground of cancer.

Very well said, Darcher.

Tru

catkilroe said:

I can't count the times....

I have asked myself the same question so many time in the last two weeks  (when I was first given my cancer diagnosis). What did I do wrong? I thought I was pretty healthy, ate pretty much good food and lived an active lifestyle. Now I have cancer and to top it all off, it's anal cancer. The arsehole jokes have already started.. I wish I knew the answers, but it seems no one does and this actually makes me feel better. 

Anal cancer is very different than colorectal cancer.  Anal cancer is mostly caused by the HPV virus.  Somehow it escaped our immune systems and began the long process of mutating cells over many years.  I do think for me there is a genetic component to it.  My mother had cervical cancer at the same age I got anal cancer.  Cervical cancer is also caused by the HPV virus.  I think there is something in our genetic makeup that was not able to fight off the HPV virus.  It's just what experts think and I agree. Anal cancer and other HPV cancers are now preventable for future generations who are young enough to be vacinated against it.  Its nothing you did wrong.  I used to blame my EX husband, but the truth of the matter is I will never know- it could have been me and someone I was with....I did tell my current boyfriend and was worried about the implications for him but the vast majority of people with HPV do not get cancer, the problem is nobody knows if they are going to be the one to get it.  You can't change the past.

As far as anal cancer and jokes go humor is the best medicine.  My one friend gave me a Bevis and Butthead keychain which I found hillarious...  I had it in my purse and when I was the sickest(week 5 or 6) on on my way to the ER it started going off unexpectedly...needless to say I needed a really good laugh at that point and we were both cracking up in the parking lot!

It was my eating habit that causes me had the cancer. Stupid me. Sometimes, I skipped dinner. After 10-12 hours work everyday made me tired and forget about dinner. Once I hit the couch, I'll be snoring in no time. At lunch when at work, I eat junk food from McDonald's which isn't healthy at all. Then, I lost weight gradually (which so unfair for my body built). Stress wasn't good to have either because it attacks our internal organs and causes trouble. I was so stressful from home and at work. Then, one day, it hit me hard!! I had bloody BM!! And my stomach was in severe pain, but I ignored the pain and symptoms for 3 months...and boom!! I had to see a GI doctor. The bloody BM had gotten worse. Colonoscopy was done, and the doctor told me the result. I was on denial when he said I have cancer!! Sorry if my comment is way too long. But what I am saying is, not every cancer is genetic. Some are from being careless and not listening to what their body is saying or telling them. 

After my diagnosis of Brain Cancer (GBM) i asked my oncologist what could have caused it.   Without hesitation he answered "bad luck".   My biggest fear is this rotten disease affecting my three children.   I hope he is correct when he says it is not genetic.