How To Answer The Question What Is Anal Cancer?
Many people wonder exactly what is anal cancer. Anal cancer is a disease that affects the area known as the anus which is the opening where the rectum ends. Although this is a rare form of cancer it is becoming more and more common as time progresses. When it is found early the chances for successful treatment are good.
Most cases of this disease are generally found in individuals between the ages of 50 and 80. When cases of this cancer are found in those under the age of 50 it is more prevalent in men than women, whereas after age 50, women seem to be slightly more affected.
One thing that is considered to be a major risk factor in developing this type of cancer is the development of HPV or human papillomavirus which is a virus that is transmitted between sexual partners. Although there is currently a vaccine to prevent cases of cervical cancer related to this virus it is not currently used to in cases of prevention related to anal cancer. Some other risk factors that may be associated with the development of anal cancer include reception of anal sex, multiple sexual partners, being over the age of 50 years, recurring soreness and redness of the anus, smoking and low immune system.
Although some lesions or tumors that may develop in the anal area are not cancerous even these can turn into cancerous tumors over extended periods of time.
Hopefully this has answered the common question of what is anal cancer. Now that it has been determined what it is there is some additional vital information that individuals need to know regarding this disease.
In many cases there are no symptoms experienced by individuals that have developed anal cancer however some simple signs that may be associated with this disease include anal bleeding, itching, pain or pressure, unusual discharge, changes in bowel habits and the formation of lumps close to the anus.
There are ways of detecting anal cancer such as a digital rectal examination or during procedures such as the removal of what may be thought to be hemorrhoids. Other more complicated procedures such as anoscopy, proctoscopy or endorectal ultrasound may also used for the detection of this disease. In the event that there is evidence that an individual may have anal cancer a biopsy is usually performed and examined by a specialist.
In addition to this information it is important to know what the treatment options for this disease is. The standard treatments available for individuals diagnosed with anal cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Of the available treatments the two that are the most common are radiation and chemotherapy. In most cases successful treatment plans include the use of two or more types of treatment.
Now that you know the answer to the question what is anal cancer it is important to remember that if you suspect that you may have developed this disease you should immediately seek the advice of your family doctor.
