Prevention
- Get the HPV vaccine — it prevents the infections that cause most anal cancers
- Don't smoke (smoking raises anal-cancer risk)
- Practice safer sex to lower HPV exposure
Screening for those at higher risk
- People with HIV, prior HPV-related cancers, or immunosuppression may benefit from screening
- Screening can include anal Pap tests and high-resolution anoscopy
- Report bleeding, pain, or a lump — don't assume it's hemorrhoids
Highly curable when caught early
Anal cancer is one of medicine's success stories: chemoradiation cures most cases without surgery, preserving normal function.
Caring for your skin during treatment
Radiation to the anal and groin area can make nearby skin sore. This short video walks through gentle washing, moisturizers, comfort products your team may suggest, and when to call.
Take-home skin-care sheet
A two-page printout of the same teaching — wash, moisturize, comfort products, sitz baths, and when to call. Bring it to your visit.
Understand anal cancer
Read our plain-language guide, or talk with our team.