The Anus
The anus is the opening at the end of the colon (large bowel). It is a tube approximately 3 cm long and controlled by the sphincter muscles to allow for stools (faeces) to pass through as you empty your bowels.
This area is also called the anal canal and connects to the end of your rectum.
Signs and symptoms
The most common symptoms of anal cancer include:
- bleeding from the anus and/or rectum
- small lumps around the anus
- difficulty controlling your bowel movements (faecal incontinence)
- pain, discomfort and itching in the rectal area
- Mucus discharge from the anus
Causes
Anal cancer is closely linked to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. An increased number of sexual partners is a risk factor, as HPV is transmitted this way. Also, those who practice anal intercourse are more likely to develop anal cancer as they have an increased chance of getting anal HPV. Cigarette smoking has also been shown to increase the risk of anal cancer.
Treatment and cure
Treatment for anal cancer can take the form of radiotherapy, radiation, chemotherapy or surgery. How doctors decide to treat the cancer depends on four crucial elements: the stage of the cancer, which part of the anus the cancer is growing in, whether the cancer has spread, and the general health of the patient.
* Statistic from https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/anal-cancer Accessed 07.10.25