Welcome! Please Introduce Yourself.
Welcome to our community! We’d love to learn a little about what has brought you here.
Hi everyone. I'm a three-year survivor of Rectal Cancer and a Squamous Carcinoma on my tongue.
After my diagnosis, I was surprised to learn that these lesions were the result of HPV. I didn't understand the prevalence of viral cancers until I had to sit down and learn about them.
At first, I thought it was too late to learn more, because I already had them. But there's more to the story than trying not to be exposed to the virus. There's an entire post-treatment lifestyle that can exist to prevent it from recurring.
Because of the method of transmission for HPV, I felt a great deal of shame. I know I shouldn't have, but the shock of being told 'You Have Cancer' really took a bite out of my confidence.
I hope this discussion opens up some dialogue and shared stories between others who have questions or experience with HPV related cancers.Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience. More needs to be done to make people aware of the connection between HPV and cancer. Your advocacy is important. How are you doing now? All the best, Kathy (Team member)
Diagnosed with breast cancer end of October I've had two lumpectomies to remove the cancer. Luckily I don't have to do chemotherapy but I do have to do radiation I start that beginning of February. I'm having a hard time navigating life after the diagnosis looking for help
I am so glad you've found our community. It's not where you wanted to be, but you are now part of a community that shares an experience that is challenging and difficult to wrap one's head around. Beyond the physical realities, you also need to deal with the "inner thoughts, fears, and reactions to your disease. You may be interested in this article about finding your footing after diagnosis. All the best, Kathy (Team member)
--Also, although it sounds like your breast cancer was caught early, you may find some articles that related to you on our sister community, AdvancedBreastCancer.com.I really understand what you're going through. After my diagnosis, all I could do was sit on my couch, hugging a pillow and staring at the television. I felt I had done something wrong. It took me a while, but I realized that it wasn't my fault that I had cancer.
Did it turn my life upside down? Yes. In ways I'm still trying to unravel and understand. The best thing I did, though, was to reach out and find people who were willing to listen to my fears and hesitations. Once I got those thoughts out of my head, I was able to look at them objectively and decide what belonged there and what needed to go.
I wish you luck, and I'm happy you've reached out to our community! Please let us know how you are doing.
