I Want Everybody To Know: A HPV Anal Cancer Survivor Story

(This video contains graphic descriptions of anal cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment, including difficulty with sexual activity.)
In the United States, the number of new cases of anal cancer is estimated to be around 10,540 in 2024, with about 2,190 deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. The risk of developing anal cancer is about 1 in 500, but it's more common in older adults and in Black men and White women.

In 2019, at 59, Cindy Southwell of Florida, felt a bump in her anus. At first, her general practitioner summed it up to a hemorrhoid and would not do a rectal exam until Cindy insisted. The diagnosis: HPV-16 positive anal cancer.

Southwell decided to share her story with HPVANDME to help normalize the conversation and to help other anal cancer patients know what to expect during and after treatment.

"I want everybody to know because it's preventable. Just get the Gardasil (HPV) vaccine," says Southwell.

The HPV vaccine helps prevent six types of cancer: anal, cervical, oropharyngeal (throat), penile, vaginal, and vulvar. The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for boys and girls at age 11 to 13, and as early as age nine. The HPV vaccine may also provide benefits for those up to age 45. Talk with your doctor.

Anal cancer is rare compared to other types of cancer, but the number of new cases has been increasing for many years. The most significant risk factor for anal cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, but other risk factors include HIV and smoking.
Symptoms of anal cancer include:
• Bloody stool or bleeding from the anus or rectum
• Pain or itching near the anus
• A mass or growth in the anal canal

Doctors can use several tests to diagnose anal cancer, including:
• Anal Pap test: A swab is inserted into the anus to obtain cells for evaluation
Digital rectal exam: A doctor or nurse inserts a gloved finger into the anus to feel for lumps or bumps
Anoscopy: A doctor uses a lighted tube to check the anus and rectum for suspicious areas

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  Anal Cancer