Last Friday, millions of viewers were inspired after watching Farrah’s Story on NBC. It’s a two hour documentary film about Farrah Fawcett’s battle with Anal Cancer.

Here are some facts about Anal Cancer

• Anal cancer is a type of cancer that arises from the anus, the opening at the rear end of our gastrointestinal system.
• The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for anal cancer in the United States are for 2009 are 5,290 new cases of anal cancer and 710 deaths from anal cancer.
• Women get anal cancer slightly more often than men.
• Anal cancer is found mainly in adults older than age 35.
• While anal cancer is a serious disease, treatment is very effective. Most people with this cancer can be cured.
• Risk factors (anything that increases a person’s chance of getting a disease) of Anal Cancer are infection with HPV (human papilloma virus), sexual practices, smoking, and people who have lowered immunity (transplant patients, HIV patients).
• Common symptoms of anal cancer are bleeding or itching around the anus, pain in the anal area, change in the width of the stool, stool may be narrower than usual, swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin area, and abnormal discharge from the anus
• Rectal exam (the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the anus to feel for lumps or growths) and anal Pap (much like the Pap smear where anal lining is swabbed and the cells are looked at under a microscope) should be done routinely to people who are at risk of anal cancer.
• Biopsy may be done if any suspicious mass
• Further test to determine the extent of the cancer and its spread are achieved by ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, Chest Xray and PET Scan
• The usual management of anal cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy
• According to the SEER database of the National Cancer Institute,  the 5 year survival rates (the percentage of patients who are alive at least 5 years after diagnosis) of anal cancer are the following: Localized (roughly stages I and II) 82%, Regional (roughly stage IIIA) 60% and Distant (roughly stages IIIB and IV) 19%.

Having cancer is a challenging experience. It’s an ideal time to seek out emotional and social support. Family and friends can offer you strength and comfort. The American Cancer Society provides information on local support groups.

source: American Cancer Society