Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross’ anal cancer is ‘fastest growing form of disease in US’
IT's a rare type of cancer that still carries a stigma due to being associated with an "embarrassing" part of the body.
However, experts have now warned that anal cancer cases and deaths are rising dramatically - particularly in the United States.
A new study revealed that numbers of those with the disease has significantly increased in the past 15 years in the US, especially among older people and young black men.
Researchers found from 2001 to 2015, cases of the most common type of anal cancer increased by 2.7 per cent per year, while anal cancer death rates increased by 3.1 per cent per year from 2001 to 2016.
They identified about 69,000 cases of anal cancer and more than 12,000 deaths during this time frame.
Among the affected people, white men and white women born after 1960 appeared with the highest risk of anal cancer.
Often neglected
The risk also increased five times among black men born in the mid-1980s.
The study's lead author, Ashish A. Deshmukh, doctor at UTHealth School of Public Health, said in a statement: "Our findings of the dramatic rise in incidence among black millennials and white women, rising rates of distant-stage disease, and increases in anal cancer mortality rates are very concerning.
"Given the historical perception that anal cancer is rare, it is often neglected."
In particular, the study suggested that the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) may be to blame for the surge in cases.
Experts are now urging people to be vigilant and learn the key symptoms of anal cancer so it's caught earlier, following the study which was published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute.
Signs of anal cancer
Anal cancer occurs where the digestive tract ends and about 1,300 people are diagnosed with it each year in the UK.
points out that symptoms of anal cancer are often similar to more common and less serious conditions affecting the anus, such as piles and small tears or sores called anal fissures.
The key signs of anal cancer they say to look out for include:
- Bleeding from the bottom
- Itching and pain around the anus
- Small lumps around the anus
- A discharge of mucus from the anus
- Loss of bowel control
Some people with anal cancer do not have any symptoms, however if you develop any of these symptoms make sure you see you're GP.
While they're unlikely to be caused by anal cancer, it's best to get them checked out.
It comes after it was revealed millions of people with potential cancer symptoms affecting their privates are too embarrassed to seek medical help.
One-in-five adults have delayed seeing their GP despite early diagnosis being crucial in boosting cancer survival.
Embarrassing symptom
And overall, more than five million have avoided going to the doctor altogether to spare their blushes.
Vaginal bleeding was viewed as the most embarrassing symptom to discuss, according to a survey for Bupa.
Other signs patients were reluctant to raise were pain in the pelvis or groin, and blood or discomfort when urinating or having a poo.
More on cancer
Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross opened up about her anal cancer diagnosis earlier this year to help destigmatise the disease.
She said: "I know that there are people who are ashamed.
"You have cancer. Should you then also feel like ashamed like you did something bad because it took up residence in your anus?"