This information has been reviewed by:
Melisa Darby, cancer nurse, RN,BN, Grad. Cert. Cancer Nursing
The anus is the last 2 cm of the bowel and the muscular ‘ring' at the end of the rectum, which opens to allow solid wastes to exit the body.
Anal cancer is an uncommon cancer affecting the tissues of the anus .
Anal cancer is rare. Anal cancer is most common in people aged 50 to 60 years, and is more common in men than women.
Some risk factors for anal cancer include some diseases that are transmitted sexually, including chlamydia, genital warts, human papilloma virus and others. HIV/AIDS can also put people at higher risk of this cancer.
Sometimes there are no symptoms at first. Bleeding and discomfort in the area are common symptoms. Other symptoms include pain, itching, straining during a bowel movement, change in bowel habits, change in the diameter of the stool, discharge from the anus, and swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin area.
If you have one of these symptoms, but have not been diagnosed with this cancer, remember that it is rare, and your symptom is likely to be due to something else. However, see your doctor if you have any symptom that persists for more than two weeks.
