MyDocHub Blog - Online Health Community

It may make you squeamish, but it is increasing in incidence:

You may be wondering what is anal cancer? Though it is not the hot topic to talk about at the dinner table, but nationwide, cases of anal cancer in women have jumped 78 percent in the past 30 years, and 160 percent in men.

Anal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the short tube that connects the rectum to the outside of the body, and it strikes less than two of every 100,000 people. Experts believe that though it is fairly rare, there is an increase because of its tie to human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV. The same types of HPV that cause cervical cancer can also trigger anal cancer. Actress Farrah Fawcett had anal cancer though the unsavory word was not used in her announcement.

It is often misdiagnosed as colorectal cancer, and it is hard to recognize. Dr. Wells Messersmith, director of gastrointestinal medical oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, indicate that 81 percent of early-stage victims remain disease-free for three years, and that drops to about 67 percent after three years. Also, Dr. A. William Blackstock, a radiation oncologist and spokesman for the American Society of Cancer Oncologists, said: “anyone older than 50 should have an annual anal exam and ask for it if it isn’t a standard part of a physical.”

Normal                                   Abnormal

Furthermore, Dr. Janet Daling, a respected researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, said: “Sixty to 70 percent of people who get anal cancer are smokers at the time of diagnosis. We think it may affect the body’s ability to get rid of this cancer.”

Share This