How common anal cancer is
Anal cancer is a rare cancer. About 850 people are diagnosed in the UK each year. It is slightly more common in women than men, with rates increasing in women over the past 10 years. There are several risk factors which causes anal cancer.
What risk factors are
Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is a risk factor. Different cancers have different risk factors. Even if you have more than one risk factor it doesn’t mean you will definitely get the disease. And just because researchers investigate a possible cause, that doesn't mean it will turn out to be a risk factor.
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
There are over 100 different types of human papilloma virus (HPVs). Some types are called the ‘wart virus’ or ‘genital wart virus’ as they cause genital warts. Some types of HPV are passed on from one person to another through sexual contact.
Up to 8 out of 10 people (80%) in the UK are infected with the HPV virus at some time during their lifetime. For many people, the virus causes no harm and goes away without treatment.
Over 8 out of 10 (80%) people who are diagnosed with anal cancer have evidence of HPV infection in the anal area. Of the different types of HPV, types 16 and 18 are the most commonly found in anal cancer. Invasive anal cancer is thought to develop from the growth of abnormal cells (squamous intraepithelial lesions) caused by HPV infection.
If you have a history of genital warts (which are caused by the HPV virus) you have an increased risk of anal cancer. The risk is higher again if you have had anal warts.
Sexual activity
There is some evidence that that the more sexual partners you have had, the more likely you are to develop anal cancer. This may be because more partners means more chances of contact with the HPV virus. Also, women who have anal intercourse, and men who have receptive anal intercourse have a higher risk of developing anal cancer. This may be because they are more likely to have HPV infection of the anus, or it might be due to other factors, such as inflammation of the anus.
Other sexually transmitted infections
Some studies have shown that other sexually transmitted infections, including the herpes virus, syphilis and gonorrhoea, are associated with an increased risk of anal cancer. This is probably because people who have had other sexually transmitted infections are more likely to have also picked up HPV.
History of cervical or vaginal cancer
If you have had cervical or vaginal cancer your risk of developing abnormal cells in the anus or anal cancer is higher. Risk is also slightly increased for women with a history of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). This is probably because of risk factors common to cervical and anal cancers, such as HPV infection and smoking.
Anal cancer is a rare cancer. About 850 people are diagnosed in the UK each year. It is slightly more common in women than men, with rates increasing in women over the past 10 years. There are several risk factors which causes anal cancer.
What risk factors are
Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is a risk factor. Different cancers have different risk factors. Even if you have more than one risk factor it doesn’t mean you will definitely get the disease. And just because researchers investigate a possible cause, that doesn't mean it will turn out to be a risk factor.
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
There are over 100 different types of human papilloma virus (HPVs). Some types are called the ‘wart virus’ or ‘genital wart virus’ as they cause genital warts. Some types of HPV are passed on from one person to another through sexual contact.
Up to 8 out of 10 people (80%) in the UK are infected with the HPV virus at some time during their lifetime. For many people, the virus causes no harm and goes away without treatment.
Over 8 out of 10 (80%) people who are diagnosed with anal cancer have evidence of HPV infection in the anal area. Of the different types of HPV, types 16 and 18 are the most commonly found in anal cancer. Invasive anal cancer is thought to develop from the growth of abnormal cells (squamous intraepithelial lesions) caused by HPV infection.
If you have a history of genital warts (which are caused by the HPV virus) you have an increased risk of anal cancer. The risk is higher again if you have had anal warts.
Sexual activity
There is some evidence that that the more sexual partners you have had, the more likely you are to develop anal cancer. This may be because more partners means more chances of contact with the HPV virus. Also, women who have anal intercourse, and men who have receptive anal intercourse have a higher risk of developing anal cancer. This may be because they are more likely to have HPV infection of the anus, or it might be due to other factors, such as inflammation of the anus.
Other sexually transmitted infections
Some studies have shown that other sexually transmitted infections, including the herpes virus, syphilis and gonorrhoea, are associated with an increased risk of anal cancer. This is probably because people who have had other sexually transmitted infections are more likely to have also picked up HPV.
History of cervical or vaginal cancer
If you have had cervical or vaginal cancer your risk of developing abnormal cells in the anus or anal cancer is higher. Risk is also slightly increased for women with a history of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). This is probably because of risk factors common to cervical and anal cancers, such as HPV infection and smoking.
Smoking
Smoking has also been shown to increase the risk of cancer of the anus. Giving up smoking can reduce your risk of developing many cancers, including anal cancer.
Lowered immunity
If you have lowered immunity you are at greater risk of developing anal cancer. Compared to the general population, you have an increased risk if you have HIV or are taking medicines to damp down your immune system after an organ transplant (for example, a kidney transplant). The risk of anal cancer related to HIV infection is especially high in younger adults.
Age
Your risk of developing anal cancer increases as you get older. But the risk is still small as anal cancer is a rare cancer.
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