6 Early-Warning Signs of Anal-Cancer Everyone is TOO Embarrassed to Talk About!

Cancer has become very present both in the medical community and in the media in the past couple of decades, mostly because of its aggressive symptoms and very difficult treatment. Nevertheless, anal cancer is a form of cancer which is usually overlooked because of where it is located and its taboo status among the population.

What Is Anal Cancer?

Anal cancer begins at the opening of the rectum, also known as anus and it is not very common. Because this type of cancer is mostly associated with dirtiness or sex, it is usually overlooked and people who might experience some of the symptoms associated with this type of cancer feel uncomfortable discussing it with their physician.

Anal cancer is different from colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer has an effect on the entire rectum and large intestine, and anal cancer only affects the opening of the rectum.

Every year, about 8,000 Americans get diagnosed with anal cancer and it is estimated that 1,000 of them are likely to die. Nearly one of four people with anal cancer gets diagnosed after its spreading to the lymph nodes and one of ten people gets diagnose after it has expanded to other organs. Even though it is not as common as colorectal, rectal or colon cancer, the number of people suffering from anal cancer is constantly increasing and the reason for this may be that it is not treated in its early stages.

Anal Cancer Symptoms

It is very important to detect anal cancer in its early stages, however that can be hard because its symptoms are not always present. Nevertheless, if the cancer progresses, there are a number of symptoms including:

• Itching in the anus
• Tenderness or pain in the anus
• Unusual bowel movements
• Anal bleeding
• Unusual discharge from the anus
• Presence of a hard area or a lump near the anus

The causes of anal cancer are not specific in most cases, but some of the factors that contribute to it are compromised immune system, smoking, and frequent anus irritation. Adults who have over 60 years are the mostly affected age group. Men under the age of 35 and women over 60 are also likely to develop colon cancer.

How to Detect Cancer in Its Early Stage

The chances of successfully overcome cancer are higher if it is detected in early stages. There are a number of procedures that can be done which can detect cancer including:

Digital Rectal Exam: during this exam, a physician examines the anal cavity for any abnormalities and lumps with their fingers after having put on a lubricated glove.

Anoscopy: during this exam, the doctor puts an anoscope, which is a small tubular instrument into your anus in order to get a more thorough look of the inside of the anus. This test is usually performed if the doctor discovers something during the digital rectal exam.

PET scans, MRIs, CT scans, x-rays, ultrasounds and biopsies are procedures which are usually used for detection of anal cancer. Nevertheless, there is a number of people who find these tests controversial and who claim that they can cause or spread cancer.

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