A new study to be presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025 reveals a concerning rise in anal cancer diagnoses, particularly among older women.
Anal cancer, a rare disease affecting the anus, can present with symptoms like bleeding, pain, itching, mucus discharge, and bowel issues. Often mistaken for less serious conditions like hemorrhoids, it is commonly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
The study, conducted from 2017 to 2021, found anal cancer rates increased by 2.9% in women and 1.6% in men. White women over 65 saw the sharpest rise at 4.43%, followed by Hispanic women of the same age group at 1.7%.
Lead author Dr. Ashley Robinson noted that many of these women missed HPV vaccination when it became widely available. She emphasized the importance of HPV vaccination and updated screening efforts to protect high-risk groups.
Promoting awareness and prevention is critical as screening guidelines continue to evolve.