Marcia Cross wants to help end ‘the stigma around anal cancer’
Marcia Cross, 57, is a cancer survivor. Last September she first revealed that she was in recovery and healthy after treatment for anal cancer and was in the process of growing her hair back following chemotherapy. She posted messages to Instagram with photos of her hair and a wig and cap she was trying. Now she’s ready to open up more. She talked to People Magazine about her health and said that she hopes to bring awareness to anal cancer as many women especially are too embarrassed to say the name.
The former Desperate Housewives star, 57, says that the experience changed her — after three months of “gnarly” treatment and several more of finding her new normal, the self-described “introverted extrovert” decided to share her story publicly.
“I want to help put a dent in the stigma around anal cancer,” she says. “I’ve read a lot of cancer-survivor stories, and many people, women especially, were too embarrassed to say what kind of cancer they had. There is a lot of shame about it. I want that to stop.”
Cross learned that she had anal cancer in Nov. 2017 during her annual checkup with her gynecologist. Her doctor administered a digital rectal exam and immediately sent Cross to a colon and rectal surgeon. Two biopsies later, doctors confirmed that she had anal cancer, and started her on six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy.
“Surgery wasn’t recommended, which was a relief. You want to preserve sphincter muscles if possible,” she says. “Having woken up to its importance, I am now a big fan of the anus!”
Cross read that the treatment would be “difficult,” so she made a point to find the humor in everything.
“In the beginning, I just sort of lay down for the parting of the cheeks and I would float away,” she says, laughing. “Because what are you going to do?”
Now nearly a year in remission and with a low chance of a recurrence, according to her doctor, Cross is grateful to have everything working properly.
“Every time I go to the bathroom, I think, ‘That’s awesome! Thank you, body,’ ” she says.
And she wants people to be aware of the symptoms — which can include anal bleeding, pain, itching and lumps — so they they can discuss any concerns with their doctor.
“If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and talk to your doctor,” says Cross. “Don’t let it go. It’s a very curable cancer if caught early, which mine was.”
“If you or a loved one are diagnosed, the Anal Cancer Foundation is an amazing resource,” she adds. “And one I turned to often.”
[From People]
That’s so cute how she thanks her body when she goes to the bathroom and describes seeing the doctor as a “parting of the cheeks.” I’m glad to hear she’s ok now and that they caught it early for her. If I had anal cancer I would have trouble talking about it at first too I think. There’s a lot of stigma around the word for some reason. I was going to ask if anal cancer could be called “rectal cancer” or something similar, but the rectum is different from the anus. Colorectal cancer affects the colon and rectum. This cancer is specific to the anus and anal area. I found an old-timey euphemism for the anus, “fundament,” which is new to me. So they possibly could call it “fundament cancer,” but no one would know what that meant and it’s not a medical term.
Happy day in the woods! #healthy #happy #grateful #nofilter #nofacelift #nophotoshop
Source: Read Full Article