Anal Cancer Awareness Day

Yes, very dismissive. When you consider that the Anal Cancer Foundation was only formed in America around 2010 and all this time since my original tumour, I have been led to believe Bowel cancer UK was the organisation for me to turn to - the "umbrella group" - in the absence then of someone specifically representing Anal Cancer. I actually feel they have been accepting my monthly donations under false pretences. (My state pension doesn't go very far anyway). And why do they feature me on their website, I wonder? 

 https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/how-we-can-help/real-life-stories/personal-experiences/willo-williams,-blackburn/  

I totally agree - we are of no importance! x

Hi everyone

It's Steph here from the Community team, I just came across this conversation thread today and wanted to let you know that your feedback is being heard.

Let's get together and see how we can highlight Anal Cancer Awareness Day in 2026 but we don't have to wait until 2026 to raise awareness.. If you have any ideas of how you would like to get involved, please do let us know. We're always looking for guest bloggers, for example.

 patsyann85 Your blogs are still live on the Community and thank you again for your phenomenal contribution. You can see all volumes listed below, with links 

Vol 1 - ‘To begin at the beginning’
Vol 2 – ‘Best friends forever’
Vol 3 – ‘The journey home’
Vol 4 – ‘Brachytherapy’
Vol 5 – ‘Jolly hockey sticks!’
Vol 6 – ‘The Abdominoperineal resection with colostomy’
Vol 7 – ‘The recovery’
Vol 8 – Lanzarote & Menorca
Vol 9 – ‘The interview’ – International women’s day
Vol 10 – ‘A chance encounter’
Vol 11 – ‘Good news, bad news’
Vol 12 – ‘Hong Kong and Back to reality’
Vol 13 – ‘Surgery at St. Mary’s’
Vol 14 – ‘Metastases and Radiotherapy’

We're always open to your ideas and feedback, but we might not always see everything that's posted in the forums. Please do reach out to us by PM to Moderator - Macmillan Community or email us at community@macmillan.org.uk

I hope we can work together to more widely share your experiences and raise awareness of Anal cancer 

Hi Steph, thank you for your response. I can't help thinking that most people don't want to mention - or hear about, anal cancer.

I very recently discovered on Facebook the "Squamous Cell Carcinoma Survivors Group". As my original primary tumours were squamous cell of the anus and likewise of the cervix, I applied to join the group. First I was welcomed and I said thank-you and a lady asked where was my squamous cell was and how was I treated. I replied and said the first one was 40 years ago - and then mentioned the subsequent spread with metastases.

I saw the first few words from a  gentleman in reply. "That's amazing, that gives...". Before I could read his comment in full and reply - I was blocked from the group. No explanation whatsoever and now no way of contacting them. I can only conclude they don't want to hear that four letter word, "anus"!

I think it's a very sad situation when Bowel Cancer UK can't even give it a mention, considering the likelihood of anal cancer spreading higher in the rectum and colon (as it did in my case). They claim to focus on "bowel cancer in general (but) also offer information and support about anal cancer".

There was nothing from Colostomy UK and although Cancer Research did a big campaign about Bowel Cancer, there was no mention of anal cancer. Many people will know about the connection of HPV to cervical cancer, but how many will know about its connection to anal cancer? 

Sorry, I am on my soap box again. Even more so since my young friend (41) died from anal cancer two years ago, leaving behind a husband and three young boys. As with me - it was first diagnosed as piles! 

Thanks for listening - and for your support.

Best wishes xx

Thank you, if you'd be interested in sharing your story again, we could write a new blog which summarises and links to your blog series - do let us know

Yes, Steph, I would be very happy for you to share my story again. And of course since that story I was diagnosed with a melanoma last year. So far so good. xx

Hi Steph

Hopefully you can make a change, i contacted macmillan at the time and although they sent a nice response they still went back to bowel cancer. Xx