Anal Cancer: Causes?

Sandra C
Sandra C Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Rare and Other Cancers #1
Anal Cancer: Exactly what are the causes of this cancer? How did we get it? What are the chances of it coming back if fully eradicated? Anyone know?

Comments

  • mono5
    mono5 Member Posts: 94
    #2
    Like anyother cancer....
    Its a breakdown in the bodies defenses... exposure to toxins in food, water and the enviornment. Most often, the immune system takes a hit and can no longer recognize the formation of cells that are going through genetic changes. Ordinarly the immune system, through its first line of defense, takes out these cells before they become a problem. Work on building up your immune system by changes in diet (most important), excersing on a regular bases and detoxing daily. Eat organic fresh foods and eliminate foods that contain preservatives, GMO and limit the intake of animal protein. Supplements such as organic green tea and certain whole plant source herbs can assist the immune system in keeping you cancer free.
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    #3
    Causes...
    No definitive cause it seems. It has been linked with HPV, HIV and regular anal intercourse. I don't have and don't do any of the above. As earlier posted, cancer is usually brought about by food toxins, environment or stress. I believe stress was my contributing factor - I was in a very stressful job position and enjoying too much wine and not taking care of myself.

    From what I have read and been told, anal cancer has a high cure rate.
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    #4
    What stage were you?
  • Sandra C
    Sandra C Member Posts: 5
    #5
    dasspears said:

    What stage were you?

    They never did stage my
    They never did stage my tumor as far as I know. It was found very early and resected with clean margins. I did have chemo and radiation.
  • harleyrider
    harleyrider Member Posts: 6
    #6
    Sandra C said:

    They never did stage my
    They never did stage my tumor as far as I know. It was found very early and resected with clean margins. I did have chemo and radiation.

    The study I was in was
    The study I was in was trying to link anal canal cancer and the HPV virus. I have HPV - the strain that can cause cancer. HPV is also linked to cervical and oral cancers. So be diligent - don't smoke or chew, eat right, you know the rest. But the BEST thing they say is exercise - up to 1 hour a day - at least 5 times per week.

    I was stage 2 - 1.5 years cancer free - next check up in June - just living with the consequences of the treatments!

    Life is good!
  • phillyAC
    phillyAC Member Posts: 6
    #7
    dasspears said:

    Causes...
    No definitive cause it seems. It has been linked with HPV, HIV and regular anal intercourse. I don't have and don't do any of the above. As earlier posted, cancer is usually brought about by food toxins, environment or stress. I believe stress was my contributing factor - I was in a very stressful job position and enjoying too much wine and not taking care of myself.

    From what I have read and been told, anal cancer has a high cure rate.

    anal cancer cause...
    I was diagnosed with anal cancer 18 years ago and they still don't know what really causes it - I'm just glad they had a great protocol of 5-FU, Mitomycin and radiation therapy together with a great doc at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philly.

    No I don't have HIV, HPV or have anal intercourse, but I do believe that cancer cells are present in everyone and that stress does breaksdown your immune system which allows cells to go haywire. There's lots of hope for a cure with anal cancer treatments so don't give up - keep positive thoughts, learn everything you can about protocols available and don't let anyone get in your way. Be your own best advocate - YES, I'm still cancer free after all this time and I wouldn't be here without staying positive.

    Best wishes to you all and don't ever give up HOPE!
  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 43
    #8
    harleyrider said:

    The study I was in was
    The study I was in was trying to link anal canal cancer and the HPV virus. I have HPV - the strain that can cause cancer. HPV is also linked to cervical and oral cancers. So be diligent - don't smoke or chew, eat right, you know the rest. But the BEST thing they say is exercise - up to 1 hour a day - at least 5 times per week.

    I was stage 2 - 1.5 years cancer free - next check up in June - just living with the consequences of the treatments!

    Life is good!

    HPV
    I did have anal sex years ago and am HPV positive vaginally but interestingly, not anally! I was diagnosed with anal cancer last fall and treated with radio and chemo. So far scans have shown no reoccurance. I am concerned about oral sex with hubby both that he may infect me again and/or I may infect him. Dont want to use condoms. Doctors just say we will watch for cancer reoccurance but cant answer questions about how to avoid reinfection. Also whether gardasil would help. Any ideas on this?
  • lisavaughan
    lisavaughan Member Posts: 7
    #9
    zjrosenthal said:

    HPV
    I did have anal sex years ago and am HPV positive vaginally but interestingly, not anally! I was diagnosed with anal cancer last fall and treated with radio and chemo. So far scans have shown no reoccurance. I am concerned about oral sex with hubby both that he may infect me again and/or I may infect him. Dont want to use condoms. Doctors just say we will watch for cancer reoccurance but cant answer questions about how to avoid reinfection. Also whether gardasil would help. Any ideas on this?

    Gardasil prevents some types
    Gardasil prevents some types of cervical cancers and now is determined to prevent anal cancers also.

    I had my 16 year old daughter take the series of shots after my diagnosis of Stage 3 Squamous cell anal cancer three years ago (tumor the size of a tennis ball). My colorectal surgeon said he had never seen one that large in all his years of practice. She's a virgin and with me being diagnosed at 39 years old I thought it would be a very, very good idea. However, my husband and I think the shots contributed to her liver adenoma since she's never been on birth control pills. Something else we have to watch closely.

    I've never had anal sex but my husband of 20 years had anal warts at age 19 when he was in the Marine Corps. He was told, (previously thought to remain indefinitely), the immune system usually destroys the virus within 5 years or so. We married when he was almost 30. His previous wife whom he married at 19 has never had any problems. She is now 49. We were married for 17 years before my diagnosis. Neither of us have had sex outside our marriage. The radiation caused so much scar tissue in my vagina I can no longer have sex...so an HPV is no longer a concern. With a permanent colostomy I wouldn't have any desire anyway.

    Three years now and I'm still cancer-free...knock on wood!

Discussion Boards