Can Anal Cancer Be Found Early
Many cases of anal cancer can be found early in the course of the disease. Anal cancers develop in a part of the digestive tract that your doctor can see and reach. Many early anal cancers have symptoms that should make you see your doctor. Unfortunately, some anal cancers may not cause symptoms until they reach an advanced stage, and others may cause symptoms that appear to be due to a disease other than cancer.
A digital rectal exam will find some cases of anal carcinoma early. The American Cancer Society suggests that this be done yearly on all men over 50 to look for prostate cancer (because the prostate gland is next to the rectum). The rectal exam is done routinely as part of a pelvic exam on women. In this exam, the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus to feel for unusual lumps or growths. If you are at high risk for anal cancer, ask your doctor if additional or more frequent examinations are needed.
The odds that anal cancer can be found early are influenced by the location and type of the cancer. Cancers that begin deeper in the anal canal are less likely to be found early. Melanomas tend to spread earlier than other cancers.
Recently doctors have tested people at high risk for sexually transmitted disease for anal intraepithelial neoplasia. The test is carried out much like a Pap smear for cervical cancer. The anal lining is swabbed and cells that come off on the swab are examined under the microscope. Some doctors have advocated doing this routinely on people at high risk for anal cancer, particularly HIV-positive men who have sex with men or HIV-positive women who have anal intercourse. Screening all HIV-positive people may also be helpful.