What is anal cancer?
A rare cancer that starts in the tissues of the anus.
Often linked to persistent infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
Preventable and treatable when detected early.
Talking with your family and friends
Use simple language to explain the diagnosis and what it means.
Share how they can support you—practical help, rides, meals, or just listening.
Remember, it’s okay to set boundaries about what you do or don’t want to discuss.
Caring for yourself or a loved one during treatment
Manage side effects with your care team’s guidance (skin care, fatigue, bowel changes).
Keep track of symptoms and report them early.
Accept help—this is not the time to “do it all.”
Stay connected with loved ones for emotional support.
Living with—and beyond—anal cancer.
Here’s to the survivors and the thrivers, the recently-diagnosed and all the people who love them.
Healing
Healing is more than physical—emotional, sexual, and spiritual recovery are important.
Explore therapies like counseling, pelvic floor therapy, or mindfulness practices.
Reconnect with activities and relationships that bring joy.
Give yourself permission to move forward at your own pace.
“Cancer has the ability to make the best of us panic-stricken and fearful or it can become the turning point in our lives, helping us to transform into courageous, grateful, and more alive spiritual beings”
Symptoms
Anorectal bleeding or blood on toilet paper.
Pain, itching, or lumps around the anus.
Changes in bowel habits or stool shape.
Unexplained weight loss or fatigue.
Treatment options
Chemoradiation (combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy).
Surgery, in some cases.
Participation in clinical trials for new therapies.
Supportive care to manage symptoms and side effects.
Caring for yourself or a loved one after treatment
Attend regular follow-up visits and screenings.
Practice self-care: exercise, balanced meals, and stress reduction.
Be patient—healing takes time, both physically and emotionally.
Reach out for survivorship resources or support groups.
Diagnosis
Physical exam and medical history.
Anal Pap and HPV test to check for abnormal cells and high-risk HPV types.
High-resolution anoscopy (HRA)-guided biopsy to identify abnormal cells (dysplasia), similary to cervical coloposcopy.
Imaging tests (CT, MRI, PET) to see if cancer has spread.
Multidisciplinary care team: primary care, nurse navigators, medical, radiation and surgical oncologists, dietitian, physical, occupational & pelvic floor therapists, mental health, social worker, palliative care and more.
Caring for yourself or a loved one before treatment
Get informed about the treatment plan and expected side effects.
Arrange support at home (meals, childcare, transportation).
Focus on nutrition, hydration, and rest to prepare your body.
Address emotional health—counseling, support groups, or journaling.
Let’s make anal cancer a hot topic.
Few words make people more uncomfortable than 'anus' and 'cancer'. But silence around these topics has real consequences: delayed diagnoses, missed prevention, social isolation and worse outcomes for those living with anal cancer. Breaking the stigma starts with open conversation—conversation that can save lives.
