Anal Cancer is an uncommon type of cancer that occurs in the anal canal. According to the American Cancer Society, estimates for anal cancer in the United States for 2023 are about 9,760 new cases (3,180 in men and 6,580 in women). The symptoms of anal cancer include bleeding from the anus or rectum, pain in the area of the anus, a mass or growth in the anal canal, and anal itching. It is also closely related to human papillomavirus (HPV). Evidence of HPV is detected in the majority of anal cancers. HIV is thought to be the most common cause of anal cancers. Some risk factors for anal cancer include older age, anal sex, drugs or conditions that suppress your immune system, HPV, history of cancer, and smoking. There is no sure way to prevent anal cancer, BUT practice safer sex, get vaccinated against HPV, stop smoking can reduce the risk of anal cancer.
Reference:
Gondal, T. A., Chaudhary, N., Bajwa, H., Rauf, A., Le, D., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Anal Cancer: The Past, Present and Future. Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 30(3), 3232–3250. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30030246
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