Symptoms to look out for as new study suggests anal cancer is on the rise and reveals who's most at risk
Cancer has always been a concern, but a recent study has shined a light on the increase in cases of anal cancer over the last few years and the signs we should be looking out for.
While many people have started taking more of an interest in how we eat and live for the sake of our health, there is still a concerning increase in the number of anal cancer cases doctors are seeing.
Anal cancer is a growth of cells that begin in the anal canal, which is located at the end of the rectum.
This has sparked calls for more research into this area to understand what potential things could be sparking this rise.
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Looking at data over four years, there has been a noticeable increase.
In a recent study, presented at Digestive Disease Week, scientists found that anal cancer cases have increased by 2.9 percent for women and 1.6 percent for men in the years between 2017 and 2021.
What does the anal cancer study tell us?
Lead author Dr Ashley Robinson, a second-year internal medicine resident at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, noted that Hispanic women are seeing the biggest rise in cases.
She said: “Rates of anal cancer are rising fastest among white and Hispanic women over 65 - groups not traditionally considered high risk.”
Scientists have also commented on what these trends could mean for how many cases doctors will see in the near future.
According to the research, women over the age of 65 have seen the biggest increase, with a 4.3 percent rise.
Meanwhile, Hispanic women in the same age group followed, with an annual increase of 1.7 percent.
If this continues, scientists believe that the cases of anal cancer in women over 65 could double in less than 17 years.
Regarding the increase in cancer in young people, some doctors have attributed it to lifestyle factors and genetics.
With this increase, more people are wanting to know what symptoms they should look out for.
What are the symptoms of anal cancer?
Some symptoms include:
- bleeding
- blood in your poo
- itching and anal pain
- In some cases, it can cause a growth or a lump and is sometimes mistaken for haemorrhoids.
Experts have warned that individuals who notice any of these symptoms should treat it seriously and schedule an appointment with their healthcare professional.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Gerrard Kaonga