10 Symptoms of Anal Cancer You Should Watch For

In some sufferers, anal cancer does not show any symptoms at first. However, there are also sufferers who feel certain symptoms. What are the symptoms of a person affected by anal cancer? Check out the signs in the following review.

What is Anal Cancer?

Anal cancer is a type of disease cancer which attacks the anus. Just like other cancers, this condition begins when cells in the tissues around that part of the body experience mutations. As a result, these cells actually turn to attack the anal tissue.

When compared with other types of cancer, this type of cancer is relatively rare. However, anal cancer can metastasize, that is, cancer cells spread to other organs and tissues of the body.

Therefore, it is very important to be able to detect the symptoms of this disease as early as possible so that it can be cured immediately, before it develops to an advanced stage and becomes more dangerous.

Recognizing Various Symptoms of Anal Cancer

The following are symptoms of anal cancer that are important to watch out for, including:

1. Anus feels itchy

The first feature of this cancer is an itchy sensation in the anus. There is no definite explanation why the itching can appear. However, itching in the anus can also be caused by other conditions that are even mild.

Therefore, you should not rush to worry if you experience this one symptom. If the itching doesn’t go away after all this time, then you can be a little worried and it’s best to see a doctor immediately.

2. Pain in anus

Anal cancer can cause pain pain in the anus. The pain can get worse when the patient has a bowel movement (BAB). Sometimes, sufferers will also experience a sensation like wanting to defecate. However, when going to the toilet, no stool comes out.

3. A lump appears in the anus

A lump in the anus can be a symptom of anal cancer. Generally, the lump is in the rectum and causes pain in the rectum. Be diligent in checking the condition of the anus to prevent this disease.

4. Exit Pus

The next sign of anal cancer is discharge of pus from the anus. This condition is usually accompanied by the symptoms mentioned above. Immediately consult a doctor for a thorough examination.

5. Anus Feels Narrow

Patients with anal cancer may also feel that their anus feels narrow. This is inseparable from the swelling that occurs in that area of ​​the body.

Also Read: Detecting Colon Cancer Symptoms Through Feces, What Does It Look Like?

6. Anus Bleeding

Symptoms of this one, certainly will be experienced by sufferers. In fact, bleeding in the anus is one of the early symptoms that appear.

The intensity of bleeding at first is only a little, so this is often ignored by sufferers because it is considered a symptom of other, milder diseases such as hemorrhoids.

7. Swollen Lymph Nodes

This type of cancer is also characterized by swollen lymph nodes, both lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin.

This swelling is actually a natural mechanism of the gland as an agent of the body’s defense when there is an attack of disease, including cancer.

8. Fecal Incontinence

The growth and development of cancer cells can also cause fecal incontinence or alvi incontinence. This is a condition when the intestine is unable to control bowel movements. As a result, sufferers are often unable to hold back the discharge of feces from the anus.

Don’t feel anxious right away because this condition can also be caused by other medical disorders, such as:

• Diarrhea.
• Fecal impaction.
• Scar tissue on the rectum wall.
• Intestinal inflammation.
• Nerve damage.
• The rectum is exposed to radiation.
• Cognitive impairment.

Immediately consult a doctor if you experience some of the symptoms above further checks were carried out.

9. Changes in Stool Shape

Anal cancer can also be detected from the form of feces. Usually this deadly disease causes the sufferer’s stool to have an unusual shape, which is smaller and fibrous.

However, further tests are needed to determine whether this is related to cancer or not.

10. Body Feels Weak

The next symptom that is commonly experienced by people with this cancer is to make the sufferer’s body feel weak. These symptoms will gets worse as the cancer cells grow.

Also Read: 10 Causes of Bleeding Anus to Watch Out for

How to Treat and Prevent Anal Cancer

Just like other cancers, the treatment is carried out by applying the following methods:

Although this disease cannot be prevented completely, you can do a number of things to reduce your risk of having this disease, including:

• Doing Healthy Sexual Activity

Do not have multiple sexual partners and avoid anal sex. Avoiding these two activities into forms effective prevention of anal cancer.

One of the causes of anal cancer due to infection with the HPV virus (hhuman papillomavirus). One way to prevent this condition is to get the HPV vaccination.

Smoking and cancer are closely related. Cigarette smoke contains about 100 carcinogenic compounds (cancer-triggering compounds), mutagens (mutations causes), and some tumor promoters. The more you are exposed to secondhand smoke, the higher your risk of cancer.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can be done by maintaining a diet, meeting nutritional needs, and exercising.

If you experience the symptoms mentioned above, immediately consult a doctor to get a more appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

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