Building Your Treatment Plan

Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Start by gaining a clear understanding of your diagnosis. Your provider will explain the cancer stage, tumor size, location, and any spread to lymph nodes or distant organs. Knowing these details is essential for informed decision-making.

• Ask Questions: Take notes, ask for clarification, and consider bringing a friend or family member for support. Questions help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options.

• Discuss Treatment Goals and Benefits: Different treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) have unique goals. For some, the aim may be to cure the cancer; for others, it may be to control the disease or relieve symptoms.

Exploring Your Treatment Options Together

After understanding your diagnosis, your provider will discuss options tailored to your case:

• Chemoradiation: A common choice for anal cancer, add chemotherapy to radiation increases its effectiveness.

• Surgery:

  • Local Excision: In very select cases (early stage, negative margin can be accomplished without compromise of sphincters, no evidence of regional nodal involvement), local excision may be an option.

  • APR: if needed your oncologist will discuss APR.

• Advanced Therapies: For advanced-stage cancer, options like immunotherapy or clinical trials for new treatments may be discussed.

Developing a Schedule for Treatment and Recovery

Once your treatment approach is set, you’ll work with your team to create a schedule outlining each phase of care, including timing for treatments and recovery.

• Treatment Frequency and Duration: Radiation typically involves daily radiation sessions over approximately 5- 6 weeks given Monday through Friday. Chemotherapy might involve oral capecitabine taken in the morning and at night as well as an infusion given on day 2 and 29 of treatment.

• Plan for Recovery: Treatments can be physically exhausting. Scheduling rest days helps manage fatigue and prepares you for the next steps.

Coordinating Supportive Care

Supportive care is essential to improve comfort, manage side effects, and enhance quality of life.

• Gastrointestinal side effects: Anal cancer treatment can impact bowel function including diarrhea, changes in stool frequency, damage to the sphincters leading to incontinence, among other dysfunctions. Anti-diarrheal agents, increasing fiber, and other mechanisms can help. Talk to your provider about these side effects.

• Pain Management: Talk to your provider about medications, physical therapy, or alternative therapies to manage pain.

• Nutritional Support: Maintaining a healthy diet can ease treatment side effects. A dietitian can offer tailored guidance.

• Sexual Health side effects: Anal cancer treatment can affect insertive anal/oral/vaginal and receptive anal/vaginal  intercourse. Talk to your provider about ways to mitigate and treat sexual dysfunction.

• Mental Health and Emotional Support: Cancer treatment can be emotionally challenging. Consider talking to a counselor, joining Cheeky Charity’s support groups, or using resources at your treatment center.

Regular Check-Ins and Adjusting Your Plan

Treatment plans are flexible and may be adjusted based on how you respond to treatment and any changes in your health. Your provider will schedule check-ins to monitor progress, manage side effects, and make necessary adjustments. It’s important to stay on a regular check-in schedule!

• Ongoing Communication: Keep an open line of communication with your team, especially if you experience new symptoms or concerns. Regular updates help your team respond quickly and adapt your plan as needed.

• Evaluating Progress: Periodic tests or imaging scans help assess treatment effectiveness and determine if adjustments are necessary.

Tips for Working with Your Healthcare Team

Building a treatment plan is a collaborative process. Actively participating in decisions can help you feel more in control of your care. Here are some tips for effective communication:

• Ask for Written Information: Cancer treatment plans can be complex. Ask for written materials or digital resources to review at home.

• Take Notes: Jotting down notes during appointments helps you remember key points, or bring a friend or family member to take notes.

• Be Honest About Side Effects: Don’t downplay symptoms or side effects. Your team needs this information to provide the best support.

• Express Concerns: If you have worries about specific treatments or potential side effects, let your team know. They may suggest alternatives or additional support.