Anal cancer

If you’re affected by anal cancer, you may have many questions about how it is diagnosed, treatment options, side effects and how to stay well. You can find trustworthy information about all aspects of your experience below.

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What is anal cancer?

Anal cancer is cancer affecting the tissues of the anus, the opening at the end of the bowel.

Symptoms

Learn about the common symptoms of anal cancer and when to see your doctor.

Getting diagnosed

Find out about the tests for anal cancer, how it is diagnosed and staged, and who will provide your care.

Treating anal cancer

The most common treatment for anal cancer is chemoradiation, but surgery is sometimes also used.

Life after treatment

Learn about follow-up care, what happens if the cancer returns, and how to look after your physical and mental health.

Questions for your doctorAsking your doctor questions will help you make informed decisions. Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask.

Consider taking a support person with you – this could be a family member or a friend – to help you record and remember the answers.

• What type of anal cancer do I have? What part of the anus is affected? Has the cancer spread?
• What treatment do you recommend? What are the risks and possible side effects?
• Are there any other treatment options for me?
• Will the treatment affect my sexual function or pleasure? Will the treatment affect my fertility?
• Do I have HPV? Can I pass on HPV to my partner? Should I or my partner get vaccinated against HPV?
• Are there any clinical trials I could join?
• How often will I need check-ups? Can I examine myself in between check-ups?
• If the cancer comes back, how will I know? What treatments could I then have?

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