cancer

[kryptic]

I dont wish to go in to the ins and outs of why Im asking this on a public forum, but has anyone here had any dealings with EITHER mouth/throat cancer or bowel cancer?
Symptons, treatment, recovery, etc.
Sorry if its an emotive issue for some.
Thank you.

[woofgang]

sorry but there are so many different types of cancers in those areas that anyone's experience is likely to be different from anyone elses.

[tinkerbell23]

My friends dad had throat cancer in his early 40s or late 30s......he quit smoking, kept off the fags and is very much with us the pic of health and is around 54 now...i expect he will b here a long long time yet :0) xx

Unfortunately my friends brother passed of bowel cancer after a long battle in his early 40s x

[tinkerbell23]

Ps symptoms..

Bowel...trouble or pain passing bowel movements or blood when passing? Most at risk i think is males over 50, obviously affects both sexes though!

Mouth i tHink you must watch for ulcers that have been there a while and pain.

Throat, no idea. Try the cancer research website xxxxxx

[boxtops]

It's often the dentist who spots mouth cancer - another good reason for getting a regular check-up.

[sherrardk]

Sorry if this is distressing but my mother died last year from bowel cancer. She had been complaining that various things were wrong with her (which we all thought was a form of attention seeking to be honest). She died very soon after being diagnosed (four weeks tops) and she was 61. The only 'positive' aspect was that she was very I'll for a really short period of time (maybe two weeks).

[kryptic]

Thanks woof and tinker.
Tinker, were alcohol, drugs or tobbacco involved in your friends dad or your friends brothers illness?

[tinkerbell23]

Tobacco in the throat cancer yes, alcohol i suppose but not in excess!!

Friends brother no i dont think so, and his parents are still living, so i think just bad luck to be honest!

Treatment options i think would be the radiotherapy or chemo for throat?
Mouth, surgery and chemo/radio....and bowel possible stoma? Permanent or not im unsure. Check the website though very informative.

Best of luck to you or whoever.....xxxx

[kryptic]

Thanks all who answered.
All very helpfull.
Thank you again.

[shaneystar2]

My husband was operated on for bowel cancer last year aged nearly 65.
Symptoms ,rapid weight loss .No pain ,normal bowel movements or any problems with bowel movements .He did suffer with piles though which used to bleed . .
It was right at the end of the colon so he now has a permanent stoma .No evidence of the cancer having spread so didn't need chemo .
He's made a good recovery and has gained nearly two stone in weight .
He used to smoke and likes a drink but not to excess.
I guess I can say he's been very lucky .But I continue to keep everything crossed most of the time :)

[kryptic]

TY shaney.

[NOX]

My ex's father had bowel cancer which was initially diagnosed when he was in his early 60's and he was given a very poor prognosis of only a few months to live. however they operated on him gave him chemo etc and treated it very agressivly and he was fine until his early 70's when it began to get agressive again. They again operated and treated with chemo and he had another 6 years finally dying at 80 not of the cancer but of a blockage which they failed to diagnose properly. There was a suspicion that his cancer was HNPCC, which is an hereditary form and my ex used to go for colonoscopies for screening purposes but their latest thinking is that it probably not as they did not in the end find the gene they assumed would be there. He was in pain and discomfort for some of the time but the rest of the time he lioved a relatively normal life with good quality.

[askyourgran]

My sis was diagnosed with bowel cancer 5 years ago. Her friend happened to mention someone who had blood on her toilet tissue when she went to the loo. My sis said she had had a small amount just the same but she thought it could be bleeding piles that had started up. She wanted to ignore it but her friend made her go to the docs just to make sure. From her being sent to the hospital and waiting 3 weeks for a return visit the cancer had spread from her bowel through to her vagina. She was operated on and had to have a colostomy bag for several months. She is now clear of the cancer and the colostomy has been reversed. She's still quite slim and has to be careful of eating certain foods especially spicy foods. It was a very frightening and trying time for everyone. It was the speed of the cancer that was so scary. If you aren't sure it is best to go immediately for diagnosis, do not delay.

[woofgang]

That's what I meant about different types and experiences.

[daffy654]

My neighbour at my old house died of lung cancer, it started with throat cancer and spread to his lungs. Symptoms were lump in neck and hoarse voice for prolonged period. He died within 6 months of diagnosis. He was a heavy drinker and smoker.

[horseshoes]

My Mum had advanced bowel cancer about 5 years ago. She underwent a very long (approx 5+ hours) operation and had the tumour removed. No chemo - no colostomy bag. She was 74 at the time and she had her 70th birthday yesterday!

Symptoms were rapid weigh loss and blood in stools, although she had IBS and bleeding piles so didn't automatically equate it with cance.

[saxy_jag]

Worst case scenario in both instances, I'm afraid, but here goes:

My father in law had bowel cancer 20 years ago and ended up having a huge chunk of his bowel removed and having a stoma (?) bag fitted. He survived for 18 months after diagnosis but in the end was just too weak to carry on.

My dad had cancer of the oesophagus 9 years ago. Chemo and radio therapy didn't have much effect, I'm afraid, and in the end the cancer just grew until he couldn't eat and he pretty much died of malnutrition, complicated by an internal bleed. He was, however, a bit daft in that he refused to rest until his illness forced him to - and then it was too late.

[kryptic]

a bit late in getting back but thanks for all replies guys. very helpful.