Everybody knows at least one person (probably more) has battled cancer, or is currently in the midst of their battle.
Celebs battle cancer too, although not everybody opens up about it — Marcia Cross has, and wants everyone to know the symptoms.
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We all know Marcia Cross from her time on “Desperate Housewives” back in the day.
She played Bree Van de Kamp — the type A, compulsive housewife who could put Martha Stewart to shame.
But Marcia Cross is very different from her “Housewives” character, that’s for sure
Over the years, she’s remained relatively quiet on social media, until she revealed to fans that she was struggling with hair loss while battling cancer.
Following, was a post explaining that she had beaten anal cancer.
Now obviously, anal cancer isn’t something that’s as widely talked about as say, breast cancer — but Marcia is stomping the stigma.
She decided to share her story with the world.
She spoke to People about her months of “gnarly” treatment.
“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,” she said.
“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,” she said.
She was first diagnosed with cancer in 2017.
She was having her annual checkup with her gynecologist, who administered a rectal exam.
They sent her to see a colon and rectal surgeon, who performed two biopsies and confirmed the news.
They sent her to see a colon and rectal surgeon, who performed two biopsies and confirmed the news.
Let this serve as a reminder to the importance of regular, preventative gyno check-ups, ladies!
She then started on six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy.
“Surgery wasn’t recommended, which was a relief. You want to preserve sphincter muscles if possible. Having woken up to its importance, I am now a big fan of the anus!” she said.
“You want to preserve sphincter muscles if possible.”
. Having woken up to its importance, I am now a big fan of the anus!” she said.
Marcia had read that the treatment for her cancer would be difficult, so she decided to see the humor in everything.
“In the beginning, I just sort of lay down for the parting of the cheeks and I would float away, because what are you going to do?” she laughed.
“Every time I go to the bathroom, I think, ‘That’s awesome! Thank you, body,’ ” she added.
I’m just loving her positive attitude about all of this. What an icon!
She even shared this picture of herself in a wig.
I can only imagine how Marcia sharing her vulnerability and honesty with her cancer journey has been so helpful to so many women who are currently struggling.
She wants people to be aware of the symptoms that can come with anal cancer.
They can include anal bleeding, pain, itching and lumps.
“If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and talk to your doctor. Don’t let it go. It’s a very curable cancer if caught early, which mine was,” she added.
“If you or a loved one are diagnosed, the Anal Cancer Foundation is an amazing resource,” she said. “And one I turned to often.”
