What Is Anal Cancer?

Anal cancer is an uncommon malignancy that starts in the anus — is the opening at the bottom of your intestines where stool exits the body.

Who Gets Anal Cancer?

• Most anal cancers (80%) are diagnosed in people who are over age 60. Prior to age 35, anal cancer is more common in men. However, after age 50, anal cancer is slightly more common in women. • The incidence rate of anal cancer is six times higher in single men as compared to married men. • Receptive anal intercourse is strongly related to the development of anal cancer. • Anal infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) resulting in genital warts is a major risk factor for the cancer. • Immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV disease, are prone to get anal cancer. In this subgroup, the prognosis is worse than for non-immunocompromised patients.

What Are the Symptoms of Anal Cancer?

The most common symptom associated with anal cancer is bleeding. Because anal itching can also be a symptom of the cancer, many people initially attribute their bleeding and itching to hemorrhoids. This can delay the diagnosis of anal cancer. Other signs and symptoms of anal cancer may include: • Pain or pressure in the anal area • Unusual discharges from the anus • Lump near the anus • Narrowing of stool or other changes in bowel movements • Incontinence of stool (loss of bowel control) • Swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin areas Most often these types of symptoms are more likely to be caused by benign (non-cancer) conditions, like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or anal warts. Still, if you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to have them checked by a doctor or healthcare giver so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

Risk factors For Anal Cancer

A risk factor increases your chance of getting a disease. The most common risk factor for anal cancer is being infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that may also cause warts in and around the anus or genitals in both men and women, but anal cancer can occur without the presence of warts. Other risk factors include: • Age (55 and older) • Anal sex • Sexually transmitted diseases • Multiple sex partners • Smoking • Being infected with HPV. Anal cancer is also associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus causes warts, also called condyloma, in and around the anus and on the cervix in women. HPV is also associated with an increased risk for cervical cancer. • Weakened immune system due to HIV, chemotherapy, or having an organ transplant • Chronic inflamed areas that cause long-term redness or irritation, such as anal fistulas or open wounds in the anal area • Prior pelvic radiation therapy for rectal, prostate, bladder, or cervical cancer.

Prevention Of Anal Cancer

Since the cause of many cases of anal cancer is unknown, it’s not possible to prevent this disease completely. But there are things you can do that might lower your risk of anal cancer. • Talk with your doctor about Human Papillomavirus Vaccination. • Avoid anal sexual intercourse, which carries an increased risk of HPV and HIV infection . • Limit the number of sex partners. Having many partners increases the risk of HPV and HIV infection. • Use a condom. However, even though condoms can protect against HIV, they cannot fully protect against HPV. • Stop smoking. • Changing lifestyle or eating habits. • Avoiding things known to cause cancer. • Taking medicines to treat a precancerouscondition or to keep cancer from starting.

How Is Anal Cancer Diagnosed?

Anal cancer may be detected during a routine digital rectal exam or during a minor procedure, such as removal of what is believed to be a hemorrhoid. The cancer may also be detected with more invasive procedures such as an anoscopy, proctoscopy, or endorectal ultrasound. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy should be done and the specimen examined by a pathologist. Staging workup may include an abdominal and pelvic CT scan, a pelvic MRI scan to assess the pelvic lymph nodes, a chest x-ray, and liver function studies. PET scans are sometimes performed.

Treatment Options For Anal Cancer

1.) Chemotherapy 2.) Radiation 3.) Surgery

Natural treatment for anal cancer

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