Understanding Anal Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Prevention Tips
Doctor explains the signs and symptoms of anal cancer, when to see a doctor, risk factors, prevention tips, and top resources for support. Learn how to recognize early signs and what to expect during medical visits.
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Topic Breakdown
In this video, you're going to learn about the possible signs and symptoms of anal cancer, a rare type of cancer that affects the anus. I will also provide you with an overview of when you should see your doctor, what you should expect during the visit, the risk factors for anal cancer, three ways to reduce your risk, and my top three resources for additional information and support.
To begin, let's get our anatomical bearings. The anus is where your bowel connects to the outside of your body, commonly known as the bottom. Anal cancer can start in any part of the anus, and its severity depends on various factors such as its location, size, whether it has spread, and your general health.
Now that we have a better understanding of the anatomical location, let's talk about the possible symptoms of anal cancer. Before we cover these symptoms, I want to make it clear that many of them are non-specific. This means that just because you have these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean you have anal cancer. Many of these symptoms are seen in other conditions and less serious problems, such as piles (hemorrhoids) or anal fissures (a break in the anal mucosa that can be very painful during bowel movements). For a full video on anal fissures, please check out the other video on this channel.
Now that we've covered this important point, let's take a look at the six signs and symptoms of anal cancer:
1. **Bleeding from the bottom**: Many people experience bleeding from the bottom for various reasons, such as piles or hemorrhoids. If you notice bleeding from the bottom, it is usually best to speak to your health provider. Pharmacists can often help with piles, but if the bleeding is more serious or has been ongoing, it is always best to speak to your doctor.
2. **Itching or pain around the anus**: Persistent itching or pain in the anal area can be a sign of anal cancer.
3. **Small lumps around or inside the bottom**: The presence of lumps can be an indicator of anal cancer and should be checked by a healthcare professional.
4. **Discharge of mucus from the bottom that doesn't go away**: Persistent mucus discharge can be a sign of anal cancer.
5. **Problems controlling bowel movements**: Bowel incontinence or needing to poo often with looser, runnier stools, or feeling that despite going for a poo, it hasn't all come out, can be signs of anal cancer.
6. **No symptoms at all**: In some cases, anal cancer may have no symptoms or they might be very hard to spot.
So, when should you see your doctor? I advise you to speak to your doctor if you've noticed any of the symptoms and signs we've discussed or if you've noticed changes around your bottom that are not normal for you. Having these symptoms does not definitely mean you have anal cancer, but for your peace of mind, it's usually better to be seen by a healthcare professional. Early detection makes anal cancer more treatable.
What happens when you visit a doctor? Many people feel embarrassed about this, but please don't be. The doctor will likely ask you questions about your health and symptoms to form a differential diagnosis (a list of conditions that could possibly fit your symptoms). They will likely perform a physical examination, which usually involves feeling your tummy and inserting a gloved finger into your bottom to feel for lumps or anything wrong. This is called a per rectum (PR) examination. Before the examination, the doctor should explain what it involves, get your consent, and offer you a chaperone if you want one.
If the doctor thinks more tests are needed, they may refer you to a specialist in the hospital. Here in the UK, you'll usually receive an appointment within two weeks if you have certain symptoms or signs. This doesn't necessarily mean you definitely have cancer.
Who is most at risk for developing anal cancer? Most anal cancers are caused by an infection called HPV (human papilloma virus), which can be contracted through any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or sharing sex toys. Other risk factors include being over the age of 75, smoking, having cervical or vaginal cancer, and having a weakened immune system.
To reduce your risk of anal cancer, here are three things you can do:
1. **Use a condom during sex** to lower your chances of getting HPV.
2. **Keep sex toys clean and don’t share them.**
3. **Try to quit smoking.**
If your child is eligible for the HPV vaccine (Gardasil), they should receive it. In the UK, this is usually given to all children aged 12 to 13 and helps protect against cervical and anal cancer.
If your doctor refers you to a specialist, you might have some tests and scans to check for anal cancer. These tests depend on your symptoms and might include a thin tube with a camera and light into your bottom to check for changes, a biopsy, and blood tests.
Potential treatment options for anal cancer include a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (chemo radiation), and sometimes surgery. The treatment plan will be tailored to you, considering factors such as the size of the cancer, whether it has spread, and your general fitness.
Finally, here are my top three trusted resources for more information:
1. **NHS website**: Contains comprehensive information on symptoms, investigations, and treatment options for anal cancer.
2. **Cancer Research UK**: Offers useful information about what symptoms to look out for and when to see your GP.
3. **MacMillan Cancer Charity**: Provides detailed information on treatment options for anal cancer.
I hope you found this information useful and informative. If you did, please remember to like the video, subscribe to the channel if you haven't already, and leave a comment. If you’re interested in scaling your medical brand on YouTube or sponsoring our videos with your products, please get in touch. Thanks for reading, and until next time.
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