Let’s talk anal cancer: It’s time to normalize the conversation

(BPT) - Sponsored by Incyte

Mary was sure something wasn't right. For nearly a decade, the elementary school teacher and mother of two expressed concerns to doctors about itching, discomfort and blood in her stool, which were repeatedly dismissed as hemorrhoids. She kept pushing for answers until a PET scan finally confirmed she had stage 3C squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC), caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Susie, a retired NFL cheerleader, and Daniel, a comedian and long-time HIV advocate, faced similar dismissals, with their symptoms initially attributed to less serious conditions before being diagnosed with stage 2 SCAC. Anal cancer has many of the same symptoms — pain, itching, a lump or mass and changes in bowel movements — as common non-cancerous conditions like hemorrhoids, which can lead to delays in diagnosis.^1,2

Mary, Susie and Daniel are anal cancer "thrivers" partnering with Incyte to share their personal stories as part of Let's Talk Anal Cancer (LTAC), a national program developed in collaboration with patients, advocates and anal cancer experts to help normalize open conversations about anal cancer. Their experiences reflect how embarrassment and social stigma can silence vital communication with healthcare professionals, delay diagnosis and leave people feeling isolated from key social supports during their cancer journey.

In Mary's case, that delay meant her cancer wasn't identified until after it had spread. For Daniel, who already faced bias and judgment as a gay Latino man, the added stigma surrounding anal cancer made the path to diagnosis even more challenging. Susie had always been healthy and had never had HPV detected through routine screenings like her annual Pap test, so learning that it was the cause of her anal cancer came as a complete shock. By elevating these lived experiences, LTAC aims to help people with anal cancer feel seen, understood and supported throughout their journey.

Although rare, more than 10,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with anal cancer in the past year, and cases continue to rise by approximately 3% annually.^3,4 Most of these cases are SCAC — the same diagnosis Mary, Susie and Daniel received — which accounts for approximately 85% of those diagnosed.⁴ Yet, many people are embarrassed to talk about anal cancer symptoms or its connection to HPV, a common skin-to-skin virus found in about 90% of SCAC cases.⁵

Together, we can break that silence. Stories like Mary's, Susie's, and Daniel's remind us that cancer doesn't discriminate by location — it can grow anywhere. No one should feel embarrassed or allow stigma to stand between them and the care they deserve. Don't let four letters stop an important, even life-saving, conversation with your doctor. Let's talk anal cancer.

Visit AnalCancer.com to learn more and download a guide to help navigate conversations with your doctor.

References

¹ Rao S, et al. Ann Oncol. 2020;31(4):S1170-S1171.

² Anal Cancer Foundation. Anal Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. https://www.analcancerfoundation.org/what-is-anal-cancer/. Accessed November 25, 2025.

³ National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Anal Cancer. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/anus.html. Accessed November 25, 2025.

⁴ Symer MM, Yeo HL. F1000Research. 2018;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1572.

⁵ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancers Linked With HPV Each Year. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/cases.html. Accessed November 25, 2025.