Following the launch of our new booklet about anal cancer, Richard takes a look at why you may not even have heard of it.
These days, the word ‘cancer’ is far less scary than it used to be. Of course, no one wants to get diagnosed with cancer, but for many people the word itself carries less of a taboo. Cancer news stories, TV coverage and social media campaigns about inspiring people are common. Yet, although we’re happier to talk more about the ‘big C’, there are still some types of cancer that rarely get a mention – or only behind closed doors.
Anal cancer is one of these cancers – one of the last remaining cancer taboos.
When was the last time you read a news article about it? Or saw a show on the TV that covered someone with anal cancer? Farrah Fawcett perhaps, who very sadly died of anal cancer back in 2009?
To be fair, it is a rare type of cancer. Only about 1,200 people are diagnosed with anal cancer each year in the UK, which is small when compared with the 50,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer or the 37,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Yet the incidence is on the increase. The number of people diagnosed with anal cancer has increased dramatically over the last 40 years.
So why is anal cancer still such a taboo?
Firstly, we’re often embarrassed to discuss this area of our body and all its ‘functions’ – with time this may change, after all it wasn’t so long ago we felt the same talking about testicles and breasts. And secondly, anal cancer is incorrectly believed to only be caused by sexual activity. Double whammy!
It’s true that the human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major cause of anal cancer, and that HPV is mainly transmitted sexually. But HPV is very common – nearly everyone that’s sexually active will have HPV at some time, and only very few of them will get anal cancer.
It’s also true that anal intercourse will increase your risk of anal HPV and subsequently anal cancer. But anal cancer doesn’t just affect men who have sex with men, in fact it’s more common in women than men, and research also shows us that anal HPV is also fairly common in heterosexual men.
The bottom line (sorry) is that many of the people who are diagnosed with anal cancer each year won’t have any of these risk factors.
Let’s talk about anal cancer
At Macmillan we don’t believe in blaming people for being diagnosed with cancer. We also think all cancers should be talked about. Talking about cancer helps to raise awareness, which can help with early diagnosis, access to the best treatments and an increase in research. It can also help people not to feel alone.
We’ve recently produced a new booklet called Understanding anal cancer, which explains the possible causes, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and ways of coping with side effects and the emotional impact. Order your free copy now if you or anyone you know is affected.
We also have information about HPV and about talking about cancer.
If you find it difficult to talk about your diagnosis of anal cancer, or you just can’t bring yourself to tell people, our information specialists are happy to help. You can talk to them anonymously and get the information and support you need. No one should face cancer alone.
We're with you every step of the way
Join our anal cancer group on the Online Community.
The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.
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